NBA: Re-seeding the Western Conference after the Free Agency

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – APRIL 19: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Nikola Mirotic #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans react after scoring against the Portland Trail Blazers during Game 3 of the Western Conference playoffs at the Smoothie King Center on April 19, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

The home-court hopefuls

Not content with mere playoff appearances, these teams should be in the fight for home court advantage.

7. New Orleans Pelicans

Last season: 48-34, 6th

Notable ins: Julius Randle, Elfrid Payton

Notable outs: DeMarcus Cousins, Rajon Rondo

A year ago, losing DeMarcus Cousins would have seemed like a death sentence for the New Orleans Pelicans. Now that it’s happened, though, it doesn’t seem nearly as bad.

They actually improved their winning percentage after Cousins went down with a torn achilles; they were 27-21 before the injury (.563) and 21-13 after (.618), and swept the Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs. That’s not to say that Cousins was holding them back, but it does show that they can still succeed without him.

Much of that success was, unsurprisingly, owed to Anthony Davis. He forced his way into the MVP conversation late in the season, averaging 30.2 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game after Cousins’ injury.

He will still shoulder most of the load for the Pelicans, and his health is the biggest threat to their playoff chances. The losses of Cousins and Rajon Rondo will certainly both hurt, but the rest of their roster has some intriguing potential.

Nikola Mirotic looked like a natural fit next to Davis after being traded from Chicago, and he should enter the season in the starting lineup. New signing Julius Randle adds an extra wrinkle to their frountcourt rotation – his fit alongside Davis is questionable, but he should serve as a focal point for the second unit when Davis is on the bench.

Elfrid Payton is not Rajon Rondo, but he did show signs of improvement last season. At the very least, he gives the Pelicans an extra option at the point. Jrue Holiday thrived playing off the ball last season, and with Payton on the roster he will still be able to do so for parts of games.

The Pelicans may lack the bench depth of some of their rivals, but a healthy Davis should always have them in the playoff hunt. With Holiday blossoming and a supporting cast of shooters and playmakers, they should find themselves in the postseason again next year.

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