Williams Says West’s Rehab Ahead Of Schedule

Hornets head coach Monty Williams has been in consistent contact with David West as he continues to rehab his surgically repaired knee. Williams claims David's rehab is, at a minimum, on schedle, but more than likely ahead of schedule. Here is more from Bradley Handwerger of wwltv.com, followed by more blogging from Scott.

“I think he’s just a diligent, stubborn worker,” Williams said. “He’s going to exhaust himself to get back on the floor or to get back to being David.”

Williams said he gets doctor’s reports on West, but that he relies on the player more than the reports because the reports are “like reading German to me.”

As West continues to tackle his rehab, he's most likely tackling one big question in his head. Should I opt out?

He'll have until the end of this month to decide. If he decides to play out his contract, the Hornets would get him at a discount rate of $7.5 million for the 2011-2012 season. If he opts out, the Hornets will most likely let him test the market before making him an offer. Hornets GM Dell Demps and Monty Williams have publicly expressed their desire to keep David West in a Hornet uniform.

If he decides not to opt out, West and Chris Paul (who will most certainly opt out of his deal after next season) would be playing together in "contract years."