Bob Kravitz: Not the reason he left, but West was very annoyed at the way the Pacers, specifically Bird, took shots at Hibbert during post-season presser
Steve Kyler: "At this point in my career, I just want to win," David West told WTHR.com's @bkravitz. "I'm just not sure the Pacers are in title contention right now. I'm going into my 13th season. I just don't know if the team is in the position to win right now and I didn't know if I'd have that opportunity to win a title. 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"
Marc Stein: Hearing that the Knicks -- besides presumed free agent targets such as L-Aldridge/G-Monroe/D-Carroll -- will get a meeting with David West. How far Knicks go with David West obviously depends on how far they get with other targets, but he's said to be serious name on their board
Jared Zwerling: League source: David West is "very likely" to sign with the Knicks come FA. "He knew that before he chose not to opt in" with the Pacers.
Candace Buckner: Just confirmed thru another league source: Once again, D West is NOT picking up option w/ #Pacers. Source said West made up mind yesterday. West not picking up $12.6 M clearly means this was not a money decision. He turns 35 in August, but still has “passion” to play, per source
Jared Zwerling: As Greg Monroe is a top choice for NY, I'm told, will be intrigue w/ David West. Tough leader NY needs, plays 4. Melo/West/Monroe frontline?
Candace Buckner: Just in: Heard from my source that David West will not exercise his player option and will become a free agent. Story coming soon.
March 6, 2021 | 9:32 pm EST Update
Gary Payton joining NBA staff?

Hall of Fame guard Gary Payton has not been shy about his desire to dive back into the NBA—as a coach. He told Yahoo! Sports last October that he had conversations about joining a coaching staff, “but the timing wasn’t right. I believe I now am ready to coach.” He did not, in the end, join a staff for this season, but now Payton says something is in the works and that could change shortly.
He was coy with specifics, but when asked, he told me about his desire to coach, “It is still the case. I got a surprise coming for a lot of people pretty soon. I don’t want to announce it right now, but you’ll see it pretty soon in the next couple of weeks, I hope everybody will be excited about it.”
He didn’t name any teams, but Payton has said he would like to work with young players, and logical speculation would hold that he could land in Atlanta to mentor star guard Trae Young. Payton’s old teammate and close friend, Nate McMillan, took over the Hawks job after Lloyd Pierce was fired this week. Another possibility would be Detroit, where coach Dwane Casey is overseeing a rebuilding project with a slew of young players for the Pistons. Casey was an assistant coach for Payton’s great Supersonics teams in the 1990s.

Adam Spolane: Rockets announce they have recalled KJ Martin and Kevin Porter Jr from the G League. They will be available to play Thursday in Sacramento

Cody Taylor: The NBA G League Ignite have clinched a playoff berth with tonight’s 127-92 win over the Austin Spurs. The group will play at least one more game this season as the playoffs begin on Monday.
Troy Brown: Please help me find my dog, Dex. He’s been missing since yesterday (March 5th). He went missing in the Kalorama neighborhood near 2535 Belmont Rd NW in DC. He’s an extremely friendly dog but he’s probably scared… only weighs about 15 pounds. He has tan and white fur.
March 6, 2021 | 6:25 pm EST Update
Adam Silver promoting G League route for top prospects

Law Murray: Silver says that 25 percent of NBA players come from out of United States, promotes G-League/G-League Ignite as a paid option for some talents while league continues to discuss one-and-done rule
Joe Vardon: The NCAA won’t love this one. Asked about a new basketball league for high-school-aged players who are paid, Adam Silver said: ‘Generally it’s good to have optionality.’