Veteran big man David West opted out of the last year of his contract and will not re-sign with the Pacers, reports the Indianapolis Star's Candace Buckner. He's leaving a guaranteed $12.6 million to look for a better fit elsewhere.
David West to become a free agent, leave Pacers
The veteran big man will look for a better fit elsewhere after four years in Indiana.
Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
West has been the locker room leader for the Pacers since joining the team in 2011. In his time in Indiana the team reached the conference finals twice before missing the playoffs entirely this past season. He had a down year in 2014-15, averaging his lowest scoring average in nine seasons and missed 16 games. Turning 35 in August, West is not going to get a contract that will pay him as much as he would have received staying in Indiana, but he obviously wants a change of scenery. He would make a great addition to any contender.
As much as he will be missed for his leadership, West opting out helps the Pacers. They will have some cap space to add players and will be able to start transitioning to the more up-tempo style of play they have said will be their new identity. With Luis Scola also becoming a free agent, the team will need a new starting power forward but could fill that vacancy in free agency or through the draft, where the Pacers have the 11th pick.
Paul George will return to the court in 2015-16 after missing the majority of last year and seven of the players under contract last season will become a free agents. Center Roy Hibbert is expected to opt in, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him get traded at some point. The Pacers are reinventing themselves and will look very different than they did this past season.
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