Fansided

NBA free agency: 5 destinations for David West

By John Buhler

Dec 23, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward David West (30) works for position around Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward David West (30) works for position around Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 3, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) keeps the ball away from Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) during the fist quarter of game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) keeps the ball away from Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) during the fist quarter of game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Hawks. 5. player. 125. . East. Southeast

While the Atlanta Hawks cannot seem to hold their own against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference and might frankly be looking towards a rebuilding effort in the next two years, Atlanta will again be likely one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference in 2016-17.

The Hawks have many high IQ players, shoot the ball incredibly well from three-point land, and have become an elite defensive team under third-year head coach Mike Budenholzer. Outside of San Antonio, Atlanta has made the NBA Playoffs for more consecutive years than any team in the league, going on a 10th year in 2017.

Where West could provide immense value for the Hawks is in low-post play, front-court defense, and rebounding prowess. Atlanta just hasn’t had the physicality to hang with the likes of Cleveland to push for an NBA Championship.

West was an elite front court player with the Pacers for years along with center Roy Hibbert before leaving Indianapolis for San Antonio last summer. He’d fill that roster spot occupied by either Kris Humphries or Mike Muscala on the 2016-17 Hawks. West doesn’t shoot the ball from the outside as well as either Humphries or Muscala, but would bring some much-needed muscle and defensive tenacity to Atlanta’s frontcourt.

Next: 4. Houston Rockets.

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