Last Updated on May 26, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
David West’s contract history reflects the career of one of the NBA’s most respected veteran forwards. From his rookie-scale years with the New Orleans Hornets to a major free-agent payday with the Indiana Pacers and later championship-chasing discount deals with the Golden State Warriors, West’s contract timeline shows both financial success and a clear shift in priorities later in his career. Spotrac lists his total NBA career earnings at more than $91 million across 15 NBA seasons, giving this contract history both statistical depth and strong narrative value.
What makes David West contract history especially interesting is how dramatically his career evolved financially. Early in his career, West developed into a two-time All-Star and secured a near-max-level contract in Indiana after opting out of his New Orleans deal during the 2011 lockout offseason. Later, after earning major money through his prime years, he intentionally accepted far smaller contracts with San Antonio and Golden State in pursuit of an NBA championship, eventually winning two titles with the Warriors before retiring in 2018.
David West Contract Agreements (As Signed)
This table tracks each major contract event as David West and his NBA teams agreed to them at the time: rookie contract, extensions, opt-outs, free-agent signings, veteran minimum deals, and retirement.
| DATE | AGE | TEAM | CONTRACT MOVE | REPORTED TERMS | SEASONS AFFECTED | CLAUSES / OPTIONS | DETAILED NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 26, 2003 | 22 | New Orleans Hornets | Drafted 18th overall | Selected in 2003 NBA Draft | Draft rights | First-round selection | The Hornets drafted David West out of Xavier, beginning his NBA contract history. |
| July 3, 2003 | 22 | New Orleans Hornets | Signed rookie-scale contract | 3 years, approximately $4.1 million | 2003-04 to 2005-06 | Fourth-year team option | West entered the league on the standard rookie-scale structure for first-round picks. |
| October 31, 2005 | 25 | New Orleans Hornets | Team option exercised | 2006-07 option picked up | 2006-07 | Rookie option year | This completed the full rookie-scale contract. |
| October 31, 2006 | 26 | New Orleans Hornets | Rookie extension signed | 5 years, $45 million | 2007-08 to 2011-12 | Long-term veteran extension | After emerging as a core frontcourt player, West secured the first major contract of his NBA career. |
| December 13, 2011 | 31 | Indiana Pacers | Signed as unrestricted free agent | 2 years, approximately $20 million | 2011-12 to 2012-13 | Player option after first season | West declined his previous player option in New Orleans during the 2011 lockout offseason before joining Indiana. |
| July 10, 2013 | 32 | Indiana Pacers | Re-signed with Indiana | 3 years, $36 million | 2013-14 to 2015-16 | Final season partially guaranteed | West remained with a Pacers team that was competing near the top of the Eastern Conference. |
| July 17, 2015 | 34 | San Antonio Spurs | Signed as unrestricted free agent | 1 year, veteran minimum contract worth about $1.5 million | 2015-16 | Veteran minimum | West famously turned down far larger salaries to pursue a championship with San Antonio. |
| July 8, 2016 | 35 | Golden State Warriors | Signed as unrestricted free agent | 1 year, veteran minimum contract | 2016-17 | Veteran minimum | West joined the Warriors after San Antonio’s playoff exit, prioritizing title contention over salary. |
| July 25, 2017 | 36 | Golden State Warriors | Re-signed with Golden State | 1 year, veteran minimum contract | 2017-18 | Veteran minimum | West returned for another championship run with Golden State. |
| August 30, 2018 | 38 | Retired | Retired from professional basketball | Career earnings surpassed $91 million | End of career | Two-time NBA champion | West retired after winning consecutive NBA championships with the Warriors. |
David West NBA Salaries by Season (Actual Salary Paid)
This table tracks David West’s salary by NBA season, showing how his earnings evolved from rookie-scale money into veteran-star income before transitioning into championship-chasing minimum contracts later in his career.
| SEASON | AGE | SALARY | CUMULATIVE CAREER EARNINGS | CONTRACT PHASE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-04 | 22 | $1,067,880 | $1,067,880 | Rookie contract |
| 2004-05 | 23 | $1,147,560 | $2,215,440 | Rookie contract |
| 2005-06 | 24 | $1,227,240 | $3,442,680 | Rookie contract |
| 2006-07 | 25 | $2,298,000 | $5,740,680 | Rookie option year |
| 2007-08 | 26 | $8,000,000 | $13,740,680 | 2006 extension |
| 2008-09 | 27 | $8,470,000 | $22,210,680 | 2006 extension |
| 2009-10 | 28 | $9,140,000 | $31,350,680 | 2006 extension |
| 2010-11 | 29 | $9,810,000 | $41,160,680 | 2006 extension |
| 2011-12 | 30 | $10,000,000 | $51,160,680 | Indiana contract |
| 2012-13 | 31 | $10,000,000 | $61,160,680 | Indiana contract |
| 2013-14 | 32 | $12,000,000 | $73,160,680 | Pacers re-signing |
| 2014-15 | 33 | $12,600,000 | $85,760,680 | Pacers re-signing |
| 2015-16 | 34 | $1,499,187 | $87,259,867 | Spurs minimum deal |
| 2016-17 | 35 | $1,551,659 | $88,811,526 | Warriors minimum deal |
| 2017-18 | 36 | $2,330,449 | $91,141,975 | Final NBA contract |
| TOTAL | $91,141,975 | $91,141,975 | 15 NBA seasons |
Analysis
David West’s contract history can largely be divided into three phases: development, prime earning years, and championship-chasing veteran years. The first phase covered his rise with the Hornets, where he outperformed his rookie-scale deal and developed into an All-Star-level power forward alongside Chris Paul. That growth led directly to his five-year, $45 million extension in 2006, which became the financial foundation of his career.
The second phase came during his Indiana Pacers years. After opting out during the uncertainty of the 2011 NBA lockout, West secured a strong free-agent contract with Indiana and later re-signed on another lucrative multi-year deal. During this period, he remained one of the Eastern Conference’s most reliable veteran forwards while helping the Pacers become legitimate contenders against LeBron James’ Miami Heat teams.
The final phase of David West’s contract history is what many NBA fans remember most clearly. After earning more than $85 million during his prime seasons, West intentionally accepted minimum-level salaries with San Antonio and Golden State in pursuit of an NBA championship. His decision to sacrifice salary for title opportunities became one of the defining examples of a respected veteran prioritizing legacy over earnings late in his career.
His final contracts with the Warriors ultimately delivered the championships he had pursued for years. West won NBA titles in both 2017 and 2018 before retiring shortly afterward, giving his contract history a rare ending where the financial sacrifices of his final seasons directly aligned with career success and legacy.
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