Will David West Opt-Out with Lockout Looming?

West, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on March 24 and had reconstructive surgery on April 12, can walk away from $7.5 million next season and test the free-agent market. He must decide by June 30.

"I'm going to talk to (the Hornets) later in the day," West, a two-time All-Star, said Friday morning. "I just want to make sure I make the clearest decision possible as to what the next step in my career will be. I'll talk to them later, maybe throw some ideas around.

"I never really intended. . . . even before I got hurt, my whole intention was to wait and make sure the decision I made was a clear-headed one."
West did not indicate which way he was leaning. Conventional thinking, following the injury, was that West would likely choose to remain with the Hornets and play next season – if there is one considering the impending labor unrest – because his value on the open market would have been diminished by the injury.