David West Joins San Antonio Spurs; Marc Gasol to Memphis Grizzlies

After opting out of his contract with the Indiana Pacers, there were two teams that David West had in mind – the newly crowned Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs. Obviously, West wants to win an NBA title and these are the two teams who could likely satisfy that dream.

West walked away from a $12 million dollar deal with the Indiana Pacers ended up agreeing to one-year deal worth a measly $1.4 million veteran’s minimum with the San Antonio Spurs.

With the move, it is clear that West wants a title and he sacrificed roughly $10.6 million for one. West, who will be turning 35 this coming August 29, knows that he is reaching the twilight of his career and before he does eventually call it quits, having an NBA ring to show will pretty much be one thing on his mind.

West formally said goodbye to Indiana via Twitter.

Thanx Indy for giving me a chance...Thanx for the support over the last 4 years...Luv is Luv....

— David West (@D_West30) July 1, 2015

He averaged 11.7 points and 6.8 rebounds last year and gained the interest of several teams. That list includes the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and the Washington Wizards.

Curiously, all teams mentioned offered him more money, with the Cavaliers and the Warriors somehow in the niche of his ‘contender’ rant. But it seems the Spurs won out and the boys of Gregg Popovich are looking pretty formidable heading into the 2015-16 NBA Wars.

"At this point in my career, it's all about winning," West said in a recent interview with WTHR-TV in Indianapolis. "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."

West’s signing follows the recent acquisition of LaMarcus Aldridge who will likely be spelled by West during games.

Gasol agrees to five-year deal with the Grizzlies

Not far away in the Western Conference, the Memphis Grizzlies and Marc Gasol have finally come to terms when the Spaniard agreed to a five-year deal worth $110 million.

The new contract would keep Gasol in Memphis for the next four years since a player option would allow Gasol to opt out after the fourth year.

Gasol was never interested in bolting the Grizzlies, as the Spaniard didn’t even bother to listen to teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks during free agency.

Marc, the younger brother of Pau Gasol who plays for the Chicago Bulls, was the 48th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Grizzlies. He was the 2013 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and is a two-time NBA All-Star.

The deal was only verbally agreed between Gasol and the Grizzlies but the contracts are expected to be officially signed by July 9, Thursday.