West, a two-time All-Star who was drafted 18th overall by New Orleans in 2003, started 70 games last season, averaging 18.9 points to go with 7.6 rebounds before tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament during a victory at Utah on March 24.
While the injury could undermine his value on the open market, West, whose offseason hobbies include boxing, said he was not inclined to succumb to fear of the unknown.
After gauging the progress of his rehabilitation and mulling options with his agent, Lance Young, West walked away from the $7.5 million he would have made to play in New Orleans next season.
Hornets general manager Dell Demps said he still hoped to bring West back.
“We have had open communication with David this entire season about his option and knew with either decision that our intention is to pursue David so he can finish his career as a Hornet,’’ Demps said.
West had surgery April 12 and his rehabilitation is expected to take six to eight months, but he said he already is jogging on a treadmill, keeping up his weight training and even doing some low-impact work on the basketball court, such as set shots.
“Two days after surgery I dove headfirst into rehab. I haven’t let up. I’m going six days a week,’’ said West, who’ll be 31 on Aug. 29. “I’m really attacking it and I feel good. I haven’t had any pain.’’
It is not clear when free agency will begin because the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of this month and a lockout is widely expected to follow. However, West said he was confident that “players and owners are going to get something worked out, whether sooner or later, that’s fair on both sides.’’
Even if the lockout drags on, that could help West by giving him more time to recover before free agency begins.
West’s decision means the Hornets must find a starting power forward through free agency, whether that means bringing back West with a new deal, re-signing fellow free agent Carl Landry, or finding someone else.
