Is David West Worth the Pickup In Fantasy Basketball?

David West surprised most NBA fans when he took a veteran minimum contract with the Spurs in the offseason. West turned down millions to come to San Antonio. The 35-year-old isn’t the two-time All-Star he was five years ago, but he will immediately boost the Spurs bench.

Last season, West averaged 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.

Mar 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) looks to pass the ball away from Brooklyn Nets forward

(30) and center

(11) in the second quarter of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

West scoring numbers have notably decreased over the past few years. Three seasons ago West averaged 17.1 points and two years ago he averaged 14 points. It’s not his scoring that makes him a solid fantasy basketball option, it’s his production in some other areas. His rebounding numbers are respectable in his minutes (28.7 mpg). His 3.4 assists last season were a career high. He was second among power forwards in assists.

West shot the ball 47% from the field, which is slightly below average for power forwards. However West did shoot 74% free throws, which is significantly lower than his 82% career mark.

Defensively West’s numbers are nothing to brag about. West averaged 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks. Don’t expect those numbers to jump too much this season.

What to Expect From David West in 2015-16?

David West won’t have the role he did on the Indiana Pacers last year.

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Instead he will play around 22 minutes, which means his production will decline. This season West should average around 10 points and 6 rebounds. There’s a realistic possibility that West can go in the final rounds of a fantasy basketball draft. If you have a chance to pick him up with one of your final picks, he is definitely worth the pickup. There will be days that coach Greg Poppovich gives

rest in many games.

Prediction: 10.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.6 bpg, 47% fg, 76% ft

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