The New Orleans Pelicans will tip off preseason on Tuesday with a new cast of players and renewed hope.
The Pels have revamped their starting lineup and bench and will enter the preseason with a much younger and hopefully more dynamic roster.
Most of the talk of the offseason has revolved around Zion Williamson in one way or another but the Pels have several players who are primed to have breakout years.
I think people are actually sleeping on the Pels’ offseason and that they will be considerably better than they were last season when they finished 11th in the Western Conference.
Here are five bold predictions for how things were go, including some team and individual achievements.
Prediction #1: The New Orleans Pelicans will make the playoffs
Many in the national media have called the Pelicans the biggest “losers” of the offseason after they traded Lonzo Ball for practically nothing and packaged Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe in a trade with Memphis.
That Memphis trade is looking better every day, as the Pelicans were able to get a steal in Trey Murphy III after moving back seven spots in the draft while also getting the best player in Jonas Valanciunas.
I also think that Devonte’ Graham will be a better fit than Lonzo was and will provide some of the clutch shooting the Pelicans lacked the last two seasons.
With wings like Naji Marshall and Herb Jones ready to make an impact on defense, and the rise of Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaxson Hayes, I think the Pels are going to surprise some people this season and make the playoffs.
Forget the play-in tournament, I believe the New Orleans Pelicans can finish in the top-6 if everything goes right and for once, I am predicting that it will.