David 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."