NBA Western Conference tier rankings: Chasing the Golden State Warriors

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: The Golden State Warriors celebrate after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 in Game 5 to win the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 11: Teammates DeMarcus Cousins #0 and Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans during their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on March 11, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Tier 5

11. Dallas Mavericks

12. New Orleans Pelicans

13. Sacramento Kings

These three teams would all make the Eastern Conference playoffs, but will be on the outside looking in due to the stacked Western Conference. The Mavericks should be exciting to watch because of rookie Dennis Smith Jr. He might win rookie of the year, and looks like a future All-Star.

The Pelicans have two great bigs, but surrounded them with a bunch of mediocre players that don’t fit. What an absolute mess. Cousins is a great talent, but has the emotional capacity of a three year old. Davis is a great talent, but has the bone structure of a three year old. The Pelicans decided to get two point guards in Rondo and Holliday that won’t fit well together. And they don’t have a small forward that can start. Their starting lineup will be two point guards, a power forward, and two centers. What a mess, it’s only a matter of time before Davis is traded away.

Sacramento actually look promising for once. Vlade Divac has been a terrible GM until a few months ago. But it’s probably just a matter of time before he resorts back to the Vlade Divac that we’ve been accustomed to.

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