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David West walks away from Indiana, and $10.6 million, to join Spurs

Forward David West decided to walk away from a much larger contract with the Pacers to chase a championship with the Spurs.

Forward David West decided to walk away from a much larger contract with the Pacers to chase a championship with the Spurs.

(Darron Cummings / Associated Press)
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Veteran forward David West walked away from a $12-million payday with the Indiana Pacers to chase a title in his 13th NBA season, accepting a one-year, minimum-salary contract worth $1.4 million to join the San Antonio Spurs, the Associated Press reported.

West, who spent the previous four seasons in Indiana, joins a team that added All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge and re-signed Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green to big-money deals to make a run at the franchise’s sixth championship. The deal cannot be signed until Thursday.

The Spurs also learned Monday that Manu Ginobili will return for a 14th season. Ginobili, who will turn 38 this month, made the announcement on Twitter. He is coming off of a season in which he averaged 10.5 points in 70 games while battling several injuries. The scoring average was his lowest since his rookie season.

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Gasol gets max deal

Memphis center Marc Gasol agreed to terms with the Grizzlies on a five-year maximum contract worth more than $100 million, a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations but not authorized to discuss it publicly told AP. The 7-foot-1 Spaniard is coming off his best NBA season, earning a starting spot in the All-Star game and becoming the first Grizzlies player voted to the All-NBA first team.

Cavs add Williams

Well-traveled point guard Mo Williams reportedly agreed to a two-year, $4.3-million deal to return Cleveland, where he previously played three seasons from 2008-11. Williams, who spent two seasons with the Clippers (2010-12), played last season for Minnesota and Charlotte.

Etc.

Point guard J.J. Barea is returning to Dallas after considering a move to Miami in free agency. His deal reportedly is for two years and $5.6 million. . . . The Minnesota Timberwolves agreed to terms with Euroleague MVP Nemanja Bjelica, a 27-year-old, 6-foot-10 forward whom they drafted in the second round in 2010. The three-year contract is worth $11.7 million. . . . Guard Cory Joseph, who spent his first four NBA seasons with San Antonio, agreed to a four-year free-agent contract with the Toronto Raptors. . . . The Utah Jazz verbally agreed to a free-agent deal with Joe Ingles, a 6-8 forward from Australia who played for the Jazz as an NBA rookie last season.

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