NBA: Predicting every team’s win total in the Western Confernece

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Jimmy Butler #21 of the Chicago Bulls and Paul George #13 of the Indiana Pacers chase down a loose ball at the United Center on December 26, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Jimmy Butler #21 of the Chicago Bulls and Paul George #13 of the Indiana Pacers chase down a loose ball at the United Center on December 26, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 11: Teammates DeMarcus Cousins
CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 11: Teammates DeMarcus Cousins

Utah Jazz – 32 Wins

The Utah Jazz are heartbroken, as they should be. Gordon Hayward was a quiet superstar who could sub as an elite role player, depending on the team’s need each game. They now don’t have anyone who can fill in as an offensive superstar, but they do have Rudy Gobert, and a handful of very nice role players.

They won’t be an embarrasment this year like most teams after they lose their star player, but they simply don’t have the talent to be in the playoff picture.

New Orleans Pelicans – 35 Wins

Talk about needing a mix of role players and superstars. Thanks to Jrue Holiday’s massive contract, his team cannot afford any good role players (besides Holiday, who – despite his superstar salary – is only a good role player) to compliment superstars Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins.