NBA: Predicting Every Team’s Win Total For 2016-17

Oct 6, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) walks onto the court prior to the game against the Sacramento Kings at the SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) walks onto the court prior to the game against the Sacramento Kings at the SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
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Oct 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) shoots over Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young (21) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) shoots over Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young (21) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Pelicans

Record Prediction: 39-43

This team is Anthony Davis and not much more. Even though they made some improvements this offseason by adding players like Langston Galloway and, Lance Stephenson, Solomon Hill and Terrence Jones, the one player to watch this season will be Buddy Hield.

With the Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans experiment not exactly working for the Pelicans, Hield offers an interesting element for the Pelicans moving forward.

If Hield can be the player many think he can be in the NBA, and that’s a really good one, then the Pelicans’ ceiling certainly changes. Even moreso if Evans and Holiday can stay healthy for the year.

Though, in the end, this season is going to come down to Anthony Davis’ health. As always.