One of the best examples of NBA teams looking beyond a players ability when they think about signing him is Delonte West, whose on court productions have always been enough to warrant him another NBA deal, but his battles with a bipolar disorders make him to be a dressing room distraction more often than not. Still, the New York Knicks and the Memphis Grizzlies seem quite interested in bringing him along.
The Dallas Mavericks released West before the beginning of last season, and he remained outside the professional basketball ranks until March, when he joined the Texas Legends in the D-League and did a pretty good job playing for them, averaging 10.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.2 steals in 28.4 minutes per game.
Whatever it was that caused the Mavs to release West, it the rumor spiraled around the league, and kept him out of the NBA last season. But there were no reports of him causing any trouble, which seems to be enough for some teams around the league to look at the option of adding him again.
Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com is reporting that both teams are in discussions with West, but they haven’t made any offers at the moment. They’re looking to add West for a backup point guard position, which he has filled for the last couple of season for the Mavs and Celtics, although he can play as a shooting guard as well.
The Knicks have Pablo Prigioni to backup Raymond Felton, but his age makes him a less than reliable option, even though he got a long-term deal for more than the minimum salary. Jerryd Bayless isn’t exactly a point guard, and the Grizzlies are getting slightly desperate about bringing another guard who can give Mike Conley some time off the floor.
West averaged 9.6 points and 3.2 assists per game on the last season he played with the Mavs and is probably willing to take any offer given to him just to make his NBA comeback.