RealGM

Buddy of mine is a Knicks fan and asked me about possibility of David West joining the Knicks. Initially i rejected the idea, but then he showed me this article he had read. Interesting take from ESPN New York- wonder how legit his sources are.

Some around the league believe noted leader and Indiana Pacers veteran David West may decline his $12.6 million player option for 2015-16 and leave Indiana this summer. West would be a great addition for the Knicks' culture and would certainly fill any leadership void, so his status is something to monitor.

Link- http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-knicks ... lo-to-lead

Also Marc Stein tweeted last week i saw that Toronto would try their best to bring in West if he became available.

Could he opt out? Sure. However, I don't see him opting out and then going to NY for his last year or two to miss the playoffs. I think if he opts out, it'd be to leave Indy for a sure-fire championship contender. Maybe something to Cleveland (if Love leaves) around the Haywood non-guaranteed contract, or something to Houston in S&T's, but those could also be achieved without him opting out.

Ultimately, I don't see West opting out. At this time. Subject to change.

I would expect him to still opt in and then if he felt like chasing a title, doing it once the cap starts jumping and contenders have enough to pay him a decent amount. With the jump he'd have much more options unless he'd turn 12 mil into a vet min contract just to play a bench role on a surefire contender. But I think he knows how volatile that is and he could quickly end up on a lotto team with one injury (i.e. to someone like PG or Durant).

If he does leave I think the Knicks would be one of the last teams he'd consider. Even if they somehow land some top tier free agents (they won't), they won't be good enough to win a title in Year 1, much less cohesive enough. And the Raptors didn't leave a great taste in anyone's mouth this season with how they ended it and how their core is basically maxed out.

I don't see why he'd opt out to go to NYK. $12.6mil is still a lot of money.

We should be back to a top East team next season with PG back, 10ish pick and maybe a trade or so.

At the beginning of the season I expected him and Roy to both opt out but then the new TV contract changed my mind. West opts in I'm sure, I be shocked if he didn't. Hibbert on the other hand is a mystery right now.

Seems opting-out could limit both Roy and David's options in terms of certain teams being able to sign them outright.

Besides, Roy has the perfect 1-yr prove it deal. No need to pass up $15m while his value is low. If he re-focuses next season another $15 per/ 4-5 yr deal is attainable.

West is getting too old, so if it's security he desires now, I'd entertain trade options in a S&T deal.

Would be odd for a guy his age to leave that kind of money on the table.