So Hot Right Now: Has LaMarcus Aldridge Finally Fit In?
The San Antonio Spurs made their flashiest-ever free-agent signing in the summer of 2015, inking former Portland Trail Blazers PF LaMarcus Aldridge to a four-year contract worth in excess of $21 million per season. It was a big splash by a team with title hopes yet again, and an organization well known for developing its own talent.
Aldridge's stats took an immediate hit. He's below 23 points per game for the first time in three years, and is shy of 10 rebounds per game. His assists and steals are also down, while he's averaging his fewest minutes since his rookie season.
He had recorded 10 double-doubles prior to Jan. 1, averaging 15.5 points and 8.8 rebounds over 32 games. He's averaging 19.2 points and 7.8 rebounds since, with five double-doubles in 15 games. He has matched his season highs in blocks and assists in his past six games.
Aldridge has returned DFS value in six of his past seven games, including each of his previous five. On Feb. 3, he returned elite tournament value for the first time since Dec. 18, scoring 36 points and adding six rebounds and three blocks in 34 minutes against the New Orleans Pelicans.
His price has stabilized, and although it's on the rise, it remains in a safe range. On most major DFS sites his salary has never returned to the level it was at the beginning of the season.
The recent absences of C Tim Duncan and SG Manu Ginobili from the Spurs lineups have likely led to the better performances. That's a trend that's likely to continue, as the Spurs coast to their second-place finish in the Western Conference.
David West
Like Aldridge, West surprised most basketball fans this summer with his decision to leave money on the table in favor of signing with the Spurs in hopes of winning a championship. The 12-year pro has his lowest PPG and RPG averages since his sophomore season. His 17.1 minutes are also his fewest since that second season.
West has been filling in for the injured Duncan, starting seven of San Antonio's past nine games. He has flashed highs of 14 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in that time, while averaging 7.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG and 0.9 BPG. He has returned elite tournament value in DFS in two of his past three games.
West comes at a much lower salary than Aldridge, limiting the risks in DFS lineups. The unpredictable nature of head coach Gregg Popovich's lineups makes it difficult to trust either player consistently, but the newcomers have been impressing of late.
West may be worth an add in deeper season-long leagues. The Spurs' injuries, combined with Duncan's need to rest, will likely to lead to more starts down the stretch for West.
He could become more essential than he thought he'd be for this hopeful title contender.