Veteran NBA forward David West is contemplating whether or not he should return to the league for another season:
David West has decided not to pick up option w/#Spurs, his agent said. “He hasn’t 100 % even decided to play,” Jeff Austin said.
— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) June 22, 2016
West, 35, signed a two-year deal with San Antonio during last year’s free agency period. The contract included a player option in the second season, allowing West to opt out and ponder his future playing status this summer.
In 78 appearances with the Spurs this season, David West averaged 7.1 points, 4 rebounds, and shot 55% from the field per contest. He was a key piece to San Antonio’s bench, serving as a valuable back-up to LaMarcus Aldridge and Tim Duncan.
David West was selected #18 overall by New Orleans in the 2003 NBA Draft. West, who saw his best two seasons playing for New Orleans during 2007-2009, was selected to the Western Conference All-Star team in both seasons — Averaging 20.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per contest.
If West were to choose to continue playing, expect several teams to have interest. Likely among them, his 2015-’16 team, San Antonio Spurs. They value his leadership, mental toughness, and veteran experience, and would love to bring him back on a veteran’s minimum deal.
For West, he holds an impressive 13-year resume in the league. If he does decide to retire, another storied career would go down in the books. The Spurs are hopeful he returns, as are many other franchises. Even at 35, West is valued around the league and would be welcomed with open arms should he return.
