The San Antonio Spurs are obviously the team to watch in the coming NBA season and much of that is because of the acquisition of LaMarcus Aldridge.
But it wasn't Aldridge the Spurs were only able to pick up. Not long after that announcement came David West who agreed to a massive pay cut to join San Antonio. The obvious intent here was West wanted an NBA ring.
At 34, West knows that his playing years could be winding down soon and before that happens, he wants to gain something that any NBA player would want – an NBA title. And to fulfill that wish, West walked away from a potential $12.6 million dollar paycheck to stay with the Indiana Pacers.
Instead, West opted for the $1.5 million veteran's minimum, a huge $11.1 million sacrifice that will hopefully reap dividends for the Spurs in the coming season.
For years West has been known as a starter but heading into the 2015-16 NBA season, West will move down to a backup role. While some may find it a demotion of sorts, West will not exactly be limited to that.
He may spell Tim Duncan or even Aldridge but his experience and leadership are what the Spurs are looking at, particularly when the time comes he goes into the game with the Spurs' second stringers.
West is of course expected to get lesser minutes though those are expected to be quality ones. Owning a decent jump shot, known to be a fierce defender and rebounder as well, the Spurs can look forward to West's veteran smarts, probably an overlooked bonus with all the attention centered too much on LaMarcus Aldridge.
Could West's $11.5 million sacrifice pay off?
On paper, the Spurs are one of the favorites for the 2015-16 NBA crown and hopefully it will translate the same as the Spurs start their journey this coming October when the new NBA season unfolds.
