David West gave up his $12.5 million player option for the 15-16 season with the Indiana Pacers to sign with the San Antonio Spurs for just $1.4 million.
West has invested his money carefully and lived modestly, which made the decision easier than some can fathom.
"People are talking about what I gave up," West told Yahoo Sports, "but not as much about what I've gained here."
West was the veteran presence for the Pacers, but he now has the chance to be the student.
"That's something I haven't been doing the last few years. You had to focus on your own mindset and mentality and then having to make sure that others are where they need to be. When you're constantly answering questions, I'll admit: It gets to be a bit much.
"I've already been picking [Manu Ginobili's] brain, asking questions. Asking Tim (Duncan) questions.
"I needed that."
West was also bothered by the way the Pacers tried to get Roy Hibbert to opt out.
"The whole four years I was there we didn't operate that way," West told Yahoo Sports. "That sort of threw me for a loop. Why, all of a sudden, are we this way? When Roy struggled a few years ago – the playoffs, the season – yeah, we challenged him, but it was more, 'Hey, you've got to participate in your own rescue.' It wasn't, 'Hey, this is all on you.' " That bothered me.
"I guess that was the motivation – they wanted to get Roy out of there – but I just felt we were all in the fight together. It isn't on one guy, it's on the group. It's not on one coach, it's on the unit. That situation shook me up. Roy was a huge part of what we had done – two Eastern Conference finals runs.
"I didn't think he deserved that."