The New Orleans Pelicans have a deep and talented roster and hope to make a run to the top of the Western Conference this season.
It will take some luck and good health, but the Pels have a good chance to at least make the playoffs for the second-straight season if they can put it all together.
Fans of New Orleans won’t just be watching the Pels’ win totals, they will also have one eye on the Los Angeles Lakers, as the Pelicans have the rights to swap picks as part of the Anthony Davis trade.
The Pelicans were the only team last season to make the playoffs and still get a lottery pick (Dyson Daniels) courtesy of the Lakers, and hope the same happens this year with an even bigger prize on the line.
Victor Wembanyama is going to have a whole lot of teams tanking this season, as he looks like a potential generational talent who could transform a franchise. Luckily, the Pelicans won’t have to worry about tanking, as they are hoping the Lakers do it for them.
New Orleans Pelicans: One eye on the Los Angeles Lakers
The Pelicans and Lakers will be connected for the foreseeable future after the trade for Anthony Davis. LA already got their title, but have pretty much been a hot mess since, which gives the Pelicans a chance to cash in this season and then again in either 2024 or 2025.
You can be sure the Pelicans and their fans are going to take note of every Lakers’ loss, as it brings them one step closer to another lottery pick. That watch started last night as the Lakers lost their opener to the Warriors and the reminders were already flying on Twitter:
The Pelicans exercise their swap rights in this scenario. pic.twitter.com/ARAINkGHJp
— Tankathon.com (@tankathon) October 19, 2022
The Lakers are coming off an offseason dominated by Russell Westbrook trade rumors that never materialized and look like a team that is one injury to LeBron James or Anthony Davis away from being one of the worst in the Western Conference.
The Pelicans only have to worry about taking care of their own business, but fans will certainly be reveling in every LA loss or rumor about disgruntled players in the locker room.
Not that fans of New Orleans needed any extra reason to cheer against the Lakers, but their downfall has the potential to turn the Pelicans in to a dynasty.