Seeking title contender, Pacers' David West targeting Spurs and Warriors

Sam Amick | USA TODAY Sports

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David West is willing to put his money where his mouth is – even if he loses quite a bit of it in the process.

According to a person with knowledge of his situation, the free agent forward who declined a $12.2 million player option to stay with the Indiana Pacers next season, has serious interest in playing for the San Antonio Spurs or the Golden State Warriors. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the free agency process.

West, the 34-year-old who was an All Star while with the New Orleans Hornets in 2008 and 2009, would have to take either the Warriors' mini midlevel exception ($3.3 million annually) or - if they wanted to use that elsewhere - a veteran's minimum deal to play with the Warriors ($1.49 million annually). He would also likely take a significant pay cut to play for the Spurs, though their fluid roster situation means the kind of paycut is not known. But as he told WTHR's Bob Kravitz in an interview on Wednesday, he is hell-bent on playing for a contender.

"At this point in my career, it's all about winning," said West, who - according to Hoopshype.com - has made a combined total of $87.6 million in his 12-year career. "And again, I don't want to be in a position where we're just fighting to make the playoffs, I want to be in a spot where we can legitimately taste the finals."

No better way, then, than to join one of the NBA's past two champions.

Even with the Warriors coming to an agreement with restricted free agent forward Draymond Green on a five-year deal worth approximately $80 million, they would certainly have interest in West if he were willing to make that kind of financial sacrifice. The Spurs are currently in the running for free agent forward LaMarcus Aldridge, but West's team-first fabric and reliable production (11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game last season) would be a tremendous fit.