David West is widely regarded as the best player to ever put on the uniform for Xavier, and it is easy to see why, given his status as the only Musketeer ever to win AP Player of the Year honors. His career in the NBA has certainly carried on the idea that he is a special player, and it has taken its next step today. I don't follow the NBA closely, but I do know that $10.6 million is a lot of money, which is relevant given that it is the difference in pay between the $1.4 San Antonio will pay him from the $12 million option he turned down to stay in Indiana. Obviously, the fact that, at 34, West's chances at a ring are sure to be dwindling and Tim Duncan is sticking around for another go are major factors in this decision. Coach Mack seemed to think that West's desire to win is what drove him to take such a massive pay cut:
David West - Winner
— Chris Mack (@CoachChrisMack) July 6, 2015
Elsewhere, European journeyman Josh Duncan is making a return to Hapoel Jerusalem, where he played from 2012 to 2014 and had two spectacualar seasons, averaging 15 points, shooting 56% from the field and 45% from three. Duncan played last year in Germany, but did not have the same success as he had in Israel and headed back to Jerusalem at the first opportunity. We can only imagine that Hapoel is glad to see him returning.
Hapoel Jerusalem lands Josh Duncan http://t.co/zGs3dkzOg3 pic.twitter.com/bqFRdS2veH
— Sportando (@sportando) July 7, 2015
Congrats to both these guys on the next steps in their journeys and we at Banners, along with the rest of Xavier Nation wish them luck as the carry the Musketeer legacy forward.