The Pacers did not receive paperwork from David West by the midnight deadline Monday night and thus will become an unrestricted free agent.
Never forget: The David West scowl.
West held an option on the final year of a three-year deal worth $36 million that he signed in 2013. Come Wednesday, July 1 — the first day of the NBA fiscal year and the first day of free agency — West is free to sign anywhere.
Pacers center Roy Hibbert, meanwhile, opted in for the 2015-16 season.
On Monday, West had a 11:59 p.m. ET deadline to file the necessary paperwork to stay. By then, the Pacers weren’t expecting to hear from West. By not exercising his option, West is giving up $12.6 million.
West, who’ll be 35 in August, played four seasons (2011-15) in Indianapolis. He spent his first eight seasons in New Orleans. One of the biggest questions moving forward for the team is who takes over his leadership role.
West also left an impact on the team and city beyond the basketball floor. Such as:
+ Each year he makes multiple visits to Juvenile Correction Facilities.
+ He and his wife, Lesley, have hosted the organization’s annual ‘Come To Our House’ Thanksgiving Dinner for folks from local shelters.
+ Lesley hosts a prom dress (and experience) giveaway each spring for hundreds of IPS students.
West’s Pacers Numbers:
- 285 games (8,727 minutes)
- 49 playoff games
- Totals: 3,979 points, 1,987 rebounds, 799 assists
- Averages: 13.96 points, 6.97 rebounds, 2.8 assists per game over four years
- 48.7 percent shooting; 77.6 percent at the foul line