New Orleans Pelicans: Top 10 draft picks in franchise history

#3) David West

For their first selection in franchise history, the New Orleans Pelicans (then Hornets) nailed this one. With the 18th overall pick in a historically loaded 2003 NBA Draft, New Orleans went with David West out of Xavier.

West would struggle in his first two seasons with the team, averaging just 5.0 points and 4.3 rebounds in that span. However, when they drafted a soon to be discussed point guard in 2005, his game elevated to new heights.

In 2005/06, West averaged 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds, and for the next nine seasons, he would record double-digits in scoring. He was an integral part of the team’s best season in franchise history in 2007/08, where he was named to his first all-star game.

West would make it to another all-star game the following season and was one-half of one of the NBA’s most dynamic tandems for years.

West averaged 16.4 points and 7.3 rebounds spanning eight seasons in New Orleans and holds franchise records for minutes and games played.