http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/430...year_extension/ <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>David West will ink a five-year extension with the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, a league source confirmed to DraftExpress.com's Jonathan Givony on Monday. He will play for 2 million dollars in the last year of his rookie contract this season. The league source indicated that his extension is worth over 45 million dollars. Hornets GM Jeff Bower and West's agent Lance Young of Octagon had until Tuesday to come to terms on the extension. West, the #18 pick in the 2003 draft, had a breakout season last year with the Hornets, averaging 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds.</div> 5 years/$45 mill is a damn nice contract for West, maybe a little too high. But he played his heart out last year and was easily a top 3 candidate for MIP last season. I really like David West. He's tough, he's physical, and he can shoot that mid-range jumper pretty well. He's a big part of the Hornets' future, I'm glad he's getting a big deal.
Although I like David West, I think $45 millions is just a bit too much. $35-38 million probably would have been as high as I would have gone, but it's nice to see he is being rewarded for his hard work. If this kid continues to improve then he and Chris Paul could become a very potent combination down in NO/OKC.
With Wests' new contract, Tyson Chandler's contract, Predrag's contract...after Chris Paul's extension there won't be much left for other players. It's obvious that they need to keep West, he had a really good game last night and is a bull down low on offense. The only issue I have with him is that he's kind of soft of the boards.
I like West, He should be a double double guy pretty soon. Him and Paul are the future of the Hornets.
