Derrick White, San Antonio Spurs
Although the Spurs missed the playoffs for the first time in over two decades, they learned a lot about the future of their organization last year. Dejounte Murray and Bryn Forbes were two players that stepped up last year for the Spurs, but Derrick White was widely overlooked. White missed just three games for the Spurs last season and has been consistently improving.
On the court for the Spurs last year, Derrick White averaged 11.3 points, 3.5 assists and shot 45.8% from the floor, 36.6% from three-point range. Since entering the league in 2017, White has seen his production with the Spurs increase every year and with Bryn Forbes no longer a member of the San Antonio Spurs organization, is ready to take a big step and have a breakout year.
Forbes started 62 games for the Spurs last season and accounted for about 10% of the Spurs total scoring per game last year, meaning Derrick White could be in line to not only move into the starting rotation, but see an increase in his scoring output as well. After the NBA resumed play in the NBA bubble, Derrick White averaged 17.7 points, 5.0 assists and shot 43.8% from the floor, 38.3% from three-point range.
He is not only a combo-guard with a sweet stroke from beyond the arc, but can be a playmaker out on the court for a Spurs team who is searching for a young talent to put at the forefront of their organization’s plans moving forward. With DeMar DeRozan’s and LaMarcus Aldridge’s contracts set to expire at the end of the 2020-21 season, the Spurs will be looking to see who they can put their faith in moving forward and Derrick White seems like the obvious choice.
With Derrick White performing well last season and the Spurs drafting guard Devin Vassell 11th overall in this past year’s draft, Lonnie Walker could be the odd man out in the Spurs rotation, which would solidify White’s starting position.
Given the opportunity, Derrick White could definitely average between 16-18 points per game this upcoming season and be one of the main reasons why the Spurs potentially make it back to the playoffs. White is not only primed to take the next step in his young career, but be one of the players the San Antonio Spurs look to build their team with for the future.
If the Spurs are to find any success this upcoming season, outside of DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge, the production will come from Derrick White. He has proven he has the capability to score in bunches and with the starting shooting guard position up for grabs, expect to see Derrick White start for the San Antonio Spurs on opening day.
