Our earlier reports had the New York Knicks being the prime candidates to grab David West in this free agency circus that is pending, however it looks like veteran power forward David West might not be so excited about playing in the Garden alongside Carmelo and Porzingis after all.
The 35-year-old West opted out of his player option worth $12 million with the Indiana Pacers last week and will test the free agency market, where he is said to be interested in chasing a title. So, to put it bluntly, West is not interested in signing with the below average New York Knicks, as reported by Marc Berman of the New York Post.
Vie Berman;
“An NBA source said West, at his age, is not coming to the Knicks because he wants to play for a team closer to title contention.”
If the Knicks are seriously interested in David West, despite the fact that he is 35 years old they have to consider whether or not there will be defensive deficiencies at his age and will he be a consistent and reliable rim protector? I feel that the answer to that question rests solely on how motivated West feels for the team that he ends up playing for. West will likely find better offers elsewhere. Despite his advanced age, he remains a lethal operator in the mid range and an effective defender.
The Knicks are also setting up tentative meetings this week. They will go to Los Angeles and sit with Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge and the perfect fit in Clippers shot-blocking center DeAndre Jordan. However despite an attempt to promote that coming to the Eastern Conference is an easier path to the Finals than staying in the West, the Knicks are considered major long shots for both Aldridge and Jordan. Which still leaves David West as an option, who is an ideal veteran for any team aspiring for a championship run.
West averaged 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 28.7 minutes per game last season.
