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Indiana Pacers rumors: Pacers looking for David West to carry them

By Andrew Melnick

May 26, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) questions for a call against the Miami Heat in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 102-90. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) questions for a call against the Miami Heat in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 102-90. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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After two straight years in the Eastern Conference Finals, disaster struck for the Indiana Pacers this offseason. They lost guard Lance Stephenson to the Charlotte Hornets in free agency, then lost forward Paul George to a fractured leg.

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Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders says the Pacers are looking to power forward David West to carry them but doesn’t believe he can.

"The Indiana Pacers are in trouble. The franchise lost emerging forward Lance Stephenson in free agency this summer receiving nothing in return which left many scratching their heads. To further compound the blow, shortly after, the team lost All-Star forward Paul George for the season in a freakish leg injury during Team USA preparation for the FIBA World Cup.The Pacers were already a unit that struggled to score at times and without their two leading playmakers, veteran forward David West will have to shoulder more of the offensive burden. West, a former two-time All-Star, is still rather effective but the Pacers will be looking for him to carry the team on most night – a job he might be a little long in the tooth at this point to pull off."

West, who will turn 34 on Friday, has all bee at the center of trade rumors and if the Pacers decide to rebuild, he certainly could be dealt.

West averaged 14.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 48.8% from the floor, 26.7% from beyond the arc and 78.9% from the free throw line. In his 11-year NBA career, he’s put up 15.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 49.1% from the field, 25.6% from three and 82.5% from the charity stripe.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.

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