More Offseason Analysis: Coaching changes, news | Free Agency | Draft
Delonte West hasn't played in an NBA game since May 5, 2012, when the Mavericks lost to the Thunder in the first round of the playoffs. He was a role player on the Mavs, hanging onto a thread of his NBA career. Since then, he hasn't played. He's been deemed as not worth the trouble even though many people think he's still plenty talented enough to be a role player in the NBA. After sitting out the last two seasons, West will finally have a chance to make another run at being a player in this league.
The Los Angeles Clippers announced their Las Vegas Summer League roster on Monday and as had been rumored, West is on the team. This could be a favor from Clippers' coach Doc Rivers who had West on his Boston Celtics teams from 2004-2007 and again in 2010-11. Rivers has been said to be a big fan of the combo guard. This could also be Rivers believing West is still very much a player in the NBA and deserves a shot at proving it. Regardless of the reason, it's a step toward West showing he can exist on a roster and compete while on the court.
West was a key role player for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2008-2010, starting 93 of his 150 games with the team. He averaged 10.3 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.1 rebounds on 45.0 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from 3-point range with the Cavs. As a member of the Celtics under Rivers, West averaged 9.8 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.0 rebounds on 45.3 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from downtown.
He joins Jon Brockman, Lorenzo Brown, and DeAndre Liggins. Rookie C.J. Wilcox and second year player Reggie Bullock will miss summer league with a shoulder and quad injury, respectively.
