8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

RUMOR: David West Is an “Intriguing Target” for Raptors in Swap for Terrence Ross

By Jared Wade

Jan 7, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) is guarded by Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) is guarded by Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

More from Pacers News

David West has been on the Toronto Raptors wish list for awhile now, and a new report from Zach Lowe of Grantland says that the Indiana Pacers have considered moving the 34-year-old power forward.

Larry Bird has reportedly considered moving West if it could return a first-round pick to the Pacers, and there may be some life to the notion that the team would move him to the Raptors in exchange for 24-year-old wing Terrence Ross.

Lowe breaks down the scenario.

"Ross has been coming off the bench since mid-January, and though he can shoot, the rest of his game has stagnated — especially his defense. The Raps are listening to incoming offers on Ross, per several league sources, and a couple of power forwards on borderline playoff teams stand out as intriguing targets: David West and Kevin Garnett.Garnett would have to waive his no-trade clause, and he does not enjoy change. West is an even trickier case. He has been available off and on in exchange for a first-round pick over the last couple of months, per several league sources, but Paul George’s potential mid-March return could change Indiana’s deadline stance. The Pacers are three games behind the no. 8 slot in the loss column, with a relatively easy and home-heavy schedule the rest of the way. If George really comes back on March 14 in Boston, as Marc Spears of Yahoo relayed over the weekend, Indy would have him for 18 of its final 28 games."

Oh, yes.

The Paul George thing. He is trying to make it back by March 14.

The Pacers do want to make the playoffs this year, and the notion of their best player returning so quickly means that getting into the postseason is within their grasp.

The idea of moving David West for Ross is further complicated by West’s $12.6 million player option for next summer. That’s a huge sum for someone his age that he is unlikely to sniff on the open market, so the smart money is West picking it up.

So the Pacers moving him now for a younger player makes sense — if the team is in fact starting to prioritize, say, the 2017-18 season over 2015-16.

The option also complicates things for Toronto giving up Ross in the deal, however.

Again, Lowe explains.

"Trading West could accelerate a mini-rebuild, but West’s $12.6 million player option for next season is an unpleasant pill. Corey Brewer quietly declined his own player option to grease his trade to Houston, but West’s option is much bigger, and he can’t afford to close off any paths to money as he approaches 35. It’s unclear whether any team — Toronto, Charlotte, or someone else — is primed to surrender a first-round pick for West. If the Pacers can’t find a hungry taker, they might stay the course and settle for a smaller move.West’s option could eat into Toronto’s cap room, though it won’t have any if it brings back both Amir Johnson and Lou Williams."

Ultimately, it seems that such concerns on top of Ross’ age and upside will keep him in Toronto.

Lowe said as much on Twitter.

This may be for the best.

In my view, Ross is a good player but not one that moves that many needles. His lack of defensive resume also makes him a less-than-ideal fit for a team coached by Frank Vogel. It’s uncertain to what degree a George Hill/Terrence Ross/Paul George perimeter threesome is a major collective upgrade over George Hill/Solomon Hill/Paul George.

My purely outsider sense is that the Pacers would rather go to war for one more year with the Hill/PG/West/Hibbert squad that has been so successful than sell off West now for something that, in Ross, is fine but not solidifying.

UPDATE: Marc Stein of ESPN weighing in on what he is hearing about Indiana and West:

But they have been dangling David West for a first-round pick, says Lowe, so I may be off base here.

It seems there is smoke here, so I won’t be shocked if something happens between the Indiana Pacers and the Toronto Raptors this week before the February 19 trade deadline.

But the West for Ross concept seems to have a few too many holes for this to actually happen in the chaotic landscape that is NBA trade deadline week.

Next: Should the Pacers Trade for Goran Dragic?

More from 8 Points, 9 Seconds

Home/Pacers News