Report: Spurs 'aggressively pursuing' David West with veteran minimum offer
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The San Antonio Spurs may have landed their top free-agent target in LaMarcus Aldridge, but they aren't done just yet.
Soon after reports surfaced Saturday that San Antonio agreed to a four-year, $80-million maximum contract with Aldridge, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported that the club is targeting forward David West.
Spurs are aggressively pursuing free agent David West with a veteran minimum offer now, sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 4, 2015
The interest is mutual, as the 34-year-old West is said to be seeking a shot at a championship. He made his intentions clear by declining a $12.2-million player option with the Pacers.
"At this point in my career, it's all about winning, and again, I don't want to be in a position where we're just fighting to make the playoffs, I want to be in a spot where we can legitimately taste the Finals," West told Bob Kravitz of WTHR.
A veteran's minimum deal for West would run $1.5 million - a major pay cut - but West has never made the Finals in his career. That's why he's said to be seriously considering the Spurs and Golden State Warriors, while drawing interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers. West wants to win.
But West isn't just another washed-up veteran hoping for one last kick at the can. The "17-foot assassin" remains as deadly as ever, averaging 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in a frustrating season with the Indiana Pacers. West still managed to shoot 47 percent from midrange and his defense, toughness, and pick-and-pop ability would bolster any team in the league.