NBA Preseason Power Rankings: Where do the New Orleans Pelicans land?
By Nick Alvarez
17. Atlanta Hawks
Did anyone have a better offseason than the Atlanta Hawks? They started the offseason by drafting Onyeka Okongwu with the 6th overall pick and followed that move up by adding Danilo Gallinari and Bogdan Bogdanovic in free agency. Those players join superstar Trae Young, and big men John Collins and Clint Capela, to create a loaded roster.
Now you might wonder why the Hawks aren’t higher, and that’s because they’re still an unproven team right now. They’ve only had a shortened offseason so we can’t feel certain that this team will light up the league out of the gates. I’m also concerned about how some of the new additions will fit together, but in the end, I believe this team should make the playoffs.
16. Houston Rockets
This is the most volatile ranking on this list because of the ongoing James Harden predicament. If he stays and the Rockets play well with the additions of Christian Wood, John Wall, and DeMarcus Cousins they could rise up these rankings. However, if James Harden is traded, the Rockets could plummet to the bottom of the league.
Outside of all that chaos, I’m wondering how Stephen Silas plans to change the Rockets philosophy from the past few seasons and if he can end up working with Harden to create a retooled Rockets offense. That is if Silas even coaches Harden at all this season.