New Orleans Pelicans: Analyzing the Steven Adams addition

New Orleans Pelicans: Does Steven Adams make the Pels a playoff team?

The Playoffs

Prior to this move, it appeared as though the Pels might be punting on this season a bit. They had just traded their best overall player for draft picks, traded three of their draft picks for future picks and it looked like the Pels were playing the long game.

Now? The Pelicans just went from fringe playoff contender to legitimate threat for the top-6 seeds.

The problem is that the West is loaded and got even better so far this offseason. The Suns added Chris Paul to a team that finished four games ahead of the Pelicans.

The Grizzlies, Trail Blazers and Kings have had good offseasons as well, and you can never count out San Antonio.

It’s not going to be easy to make the playoffs in the West, as it seems like the top teams (Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets, Mavericks, Jazz and Rockets) will all be back strong, which doesn’t leave much wiggle room for the remaining teams, all of who will be trying to win.

A lot can happen between now and then, and if the Pels gel right away, they could easily catapult into the top-six, especially if Houston ends up trading Harden and/or Westbrook.

The Western Conference is going to be as competitive as it’s ever been but now the Pels have the ammo to be in the mix.

Adding Steven Adams works from just about all angles, and the New Orleans Pelicans are now in a position to get into the playoffs without giving up their future.