David West is sacrificing millions to chase that elusive championship.
West is walking away from a $12 million payday with the Indiana Pacers to chase a title with the San Antonio Spurs in his 13th NBA season. He spent the previous four seasons in Indiana.
A person with knowledge of the deal said the veteran forward is taking a one-year, minimum salary contract worth $1.4 million to join the Spurs. The deal cannot be signed until Thursday.
West not only left a $12 million payday he was due from the Pacers, but several opportunities to make millions more from other interested suitors on the open market.
West averaged 11.7 points and 6.8 rebounds last season with the Pacers.
"Thanx Indy for giving me a chance…Thanx for the support over the last 4 years," West tweeted. "Luv is Luv…."
Meanwhile, Manu Ginobili was considering retiring after injuries contributed to him playing in just 70 games last season, but he decided to return to the Spurs to pursue his fifth NBA title with the team.
After the Spurs won the bidding for star free agent LaMarcus Aldridge and locked up Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green with lucrative deals, Ginobili decided to return to the only NBA team for which he has played.
"Happy to announce that I'm coming back next season," Ginobili announced on Twitter, adding the hashtag "gospursgo."
Franchise centerpiece Tim Duncan announced his decision to come back for a 19th season last week, giving the Spurs a powerful mix of veteran experience with Duncan, West, Ginobili and Tony Parker combining with in-their-prime starters Aldridge, Leonard and Green.
Ginobili averaged just 10.5 points per game last season, his lowest since he was a rookie.
The depth the two provide to the Spurs, who shelled out $215 million on Aldridge, Leonard and Green will be invaluable.
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