Fresh off the heels of the blockbuster signing of Kevin Durant, the Warriors have now shifted their focus to filling in the roster around him and have added a veteran forward to provide bench depth.
Golden State has signed David West, who most recently played with the Spurs, to a one year deal for the veteran’s minimum worth $1.55 million, according to TNT reporter David Aldridge.
David West to the Warriors on a one-year deal, per source, for vet minimum.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 5, 2016
West was a two-time All Star for the New Orleans Hornets in 2008 and 2009, and averaged about 16 points and 7 rebounds per game in his time with the team. After his time in New Orleans, he spent four years with the Pacers before taking a cheap deal to chase a title with San Antonio last season. In 78 games, he scored 7 points and notched 4 rebounds per game in 18 minutes of play per contest.
Reports surfaced yesterday that West told teams, and specifically the Cavaliers, that he was still weighing his options for the upcoming season, including a possible retirement. Clearly, the Warriors were able to sway West with some sort of argument that Cleveland was unable to present.
This will mark back to back seasons that West has taken a minimum deal in hopes of securing his first ever championship, and now, as he nears age 36, he is surely as desperate as ever to get a ring. In addition to yesterday’s signing of Zaza Pachulia, the Dubs’ deal with West shows that plenty of veterans around the league will take pay cuts to join the NBA’s newest super team in the Bay Area.
