8p9s Roundtable: Did the Pacers Offseason Moves Make the Team Better?

Were you surprised David West turned down a $12 million player option from the Pacers to play with the San Antonio Spurs on a minimum contract?

Donahue: It was somewhat surprising to me that West chose not to pick up his player option for the Pacers, but I was not surprised to see him end up taking considerably less money in exchange for a chance to win big. The Pacers can’t show a clear path to contention — especially in the short term — and that hurt them with West more than any other consideration.

Furr: I was not. I actually thought David West would retire this season, but pulling a Karl Malone was 2nd on my list of guesses. I think West had a bond with Roy Hibbert, and Bird’s comments to the media might’ve irked him a bit, but I don’t think it was the deciding factor. West looked done at various points last year, and when he said the Pacers weren’t a contender, I don’t think he was talking 2-3 years; I think West thinks he has a year left, and wanted the best chance to win a title in the upcoming season. Backing up LaMarcus Aldridge and Timmy Duncan gives his pretty damn good odds.

Comstock: I was surprised that West opted out, mainly because Bird seemed to think his return was all but guaranteed. Once he opted out, his signing cheap with a contender didn’t surprise me at all.

David West was down right depressed at the start of last season. Media day resembled a funeral.

Medworth: This is another one where I was completely caught off guard at first. Once we started to hear more about the situation, it made sense. And if you remember, David West was down right depressed at the start of last season. Media day resembled a funeral. I will miss him and I really hate it had to end this way. David West was arguably the most important piece to the Pacers recent rise. But I wish him the best and hope he has success in San Antonio.

Hughes: I was actually shocked. Even though Hibbert would have made more money, it was inevitable to me that if only one returned it would be West. I thought there was a chance Roy would opt out, although that thought probably was more of a hope and I somehow convinced myself it could happen from that. I don’t think what he said about Bird’s comments on Hibbert was a game-changing part of his decision, but it was maybe the cherry on top to his other reasons. Forget the money, the fact that he actually ended up with a team that could very well win it all this season is kind of surprising but awesome at the same time.

Next: Does Monta Ellis make the Pacers better?