The Washington Wizards are pushing hard to sign Indiana Pacers free agent David West, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN.com that the Wizards and San Antonio Spurs are the two teams at the top of West's wish list after he opted out of the final year of his contract with the Pacers.
West bypassed a $12.2 million player option with the Pacers next season to become a free agent and join a contender. Sources say that the newly minted champion Golden State Warriors, originally one of West's target teams, are now an unlikely destination.
The rising consensus around the league, sources say, is that West will land with the Wizards or the Spurs.
Landing the former All-Star power forward would be a coup for the Wizards as they seek to recover from Paul Pierce's decision earlier this week to leave Washington and sign with his hometown Los Angeles Clippers.
ESPN.com reported Thursday night that the Wizards have struck a deal to acquire Jared Dudley from Milwaukee on July 9, when a leaguewide moratorium on roster business is lifted. Beating out the Spurs for West would complete the rally.
In a recent interview with WTHR's Bob Kravitz in Indianapolis, West made it clear that he will sign with only a team he perceives to be in the title mix.
"At this point in my career, it's all about winning," West said. "And again, I don't want to be in a position where we're just fighting to make the playoffs, I want to be in a spot where we can legitimately taste the Finals."
The Spurs' priority in free agency, of course, remains their pursuit of LaMarcus Aldridge, but sources say they are highly interested in West whether or not Aldridge chooses San Antonio.
