New Orleans Pelicans: How the Chris Paul trade impacts the Pels

New Orleans Pelicans: How the Pels are impacted by Chris Paul trade

The West just got even better

The Suns ended up ahead of the Pelicans in the final 2019-20 standings, besting New Orleans by four games.

The Pels played terribly in the bubble, so the Suns were able to catapult past the Pels by going undefeated in Orlando.

Prior to the Suns’ unlikely run, the Pels appeared to be the better team and were certainly headed in a better direction after drafting rookie phenom Zion Williamson.

But now? Depending on what happens with the Jrue Holiday trade, the Suns have to be considered the favorite out of the Pelicans, Spurs, Kings and Trail Blazers teams that were all lumped together heading into the bubble.

The Suns didn’t get Chris Paul to be an eight seed, and must believe they can propel themselves into the top half of the conference with this trade.

That makes the West even tougher because you can’t count out OKC just because they traded their star. They will still be in the mix for a playoff spot which means at least one team from last year’s playoffs may be pushed out.

Who is that going to be? The smart money is on Houston, who is trying to trade James Harden and may be worse next year.

But other than that, just about every other team is going to be better, which means the New Orleans Pelicans are going to have a tough time making the playoffs unless they improve.