New Orleans Pelicans: Top 10 NBA Draft in franchise history
3. David West (PF) — No. 18 pick in 2003 NBA Draft
Career stats (with the Hornets, 2003-11): 530 GP, 16.4 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 49.0 FG%, 26.4 3P%, 83.9 FT%
In 2016-17, David West won an NBA title with the Warriors. However, a large part of his legacy was written in New Orleans. The power forward is the longest-tenured Pelican of all-time and was a key cog in the franchise’s most successful era.
West’s career started out modest. He averaged 3.8 points per game in his rookie year and 6.2 his sophomore season. However, his third season saw his production increase exponentially. As the Hornets’ new starting power forward, he averaged 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. His output was strong enough to see him finish second in voting for Most Improved Player. He received 22 first place votes, but ultimately lost out to Boris Diaw.
But West didn’t stop there. He really hit his stride in the late 2000s, helping the Hornets to their two highest win totals in franchise history.
In 2007-08, he averaged 20.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. He contributed 8.4 win shares to the Hornets’ franchise-high 56 wins. In 2008-09, he averaged 21.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists. West contributed 7.8 win shares to a 49-win team. He also notched back-to-back All-Star appearances in both seasons.
West would spend two more strong campaigns in New Orleans before opting for free agency in the summer of 2011. Six years later, West still litters the franchise’s career top 10 leaderboards. Due to his tenure, he finds himself first in a number of raw stat categories: games and minutes played, total points, rebounds and personal fouls.
David West was a solid player that didn’t need the spotlight. He simply put in a workmanlike effort as the team’s ironman power forward. That work was eventually rewarded with two All-Star selections. Even though he won a title with another franchise, his place in Pelicans history is cemented.