New Orleans Pelicans: Power ranking the Western Conference

New Orleans Pelicans: Western Conference power rankings #9-6

#9- New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans have gone in a very different direction this offseason, shipping out three starters and going with a much younger and more dynamic roster.

They are counting heavily on guys who are in their first, second or third year in the league and also have a new head coach, so this could go a lot of ways.

I do think the Pelicans have improved their shooting and are much-better defensively, especially the bench, which will feature versatile defenders like Naji Marshall, Murphy III and Herb Jones.

Can they overcome their youth and inexperience? Will Jonas Valanciunas be enough of an upgrade to matter? Can Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram improve their defense? With so many question marks, it is tough to rank the Pelicans any higher and this might even be a tad optimistic.

If everything goes right, the Pelicans should at least make the play-in tournament, which I think is a reasonable goal in their timeline.

#8- Portland Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers are always going to be playoff contenders as long as they have Damian Lillard, but they didn’t do much to improve their roster other than changing out coaches for a guy who angered the fanbase.

If the Blazers get out to a slow start, expect the Lillard trade rumors to start flying and for the New Orleans Pelicans to be one of the teams that gets mentioned.

#7- Dallas Mavericks

Like the Blazers, the Mavericks probably didn’t do enough to build around their superstar. The big X-factor will be Kristaps Porzingis. If he plays near an All-Star level and is healthy all season, the Mavs could climb higher behind Luka Doncic.

But if he doesn’t, expect Porzingis to be another guy whose name gets mentioned in trade rumors.

The Mavericks will be good as long as they have Luka, who will be a frontrunner for MVP, but I still don’t see a championship roster around him and they could be worse.

#6- Phoenix Suns

The Suns overachieved last season when they made the Finals and I see them taking a step back next season.

They didn’t make any big additions, and it’s hard for me to imagine Chris Paul continuing at this level forever. I’m probably being foolish for underestimating Paul but if he gets injured the Suns will fall in the standings.

I like the Suns, but I just think some of the other teams in the West improved more than they did.