NBA: 7 teams with questionable futures heading into the offseason

New Orleans Pelicans

Remember when I said that mediocre teams could not depend on the new lottery system to bail them out of a terrible situation? This is the only exception to the rule. As one generational talent is bound to leave the Pelicans, another one comes in the form of Zion Williamson.

Even if his arrival doesn’t convince the All-Star big man to stick around in the Big Easy, a trade does seem to make the most sense at this point in time. Finding a suitable trade partner and an acceptable package in return, however, is going to be the challenge for newly anointed GM David Griffin. Don’t be surprised if Jrue Holiday is gone before next season’s trade deadline, too, as the Pelicans now look to kick-start their youth movement with a third of either the Lakers’ or Celtics’ young core and of course, the soon-to-be face of the franchise, Zion Williamson.

Nevertheless, if the Brow decides to buy into the new-look Pelicans with himself and Williamson at the helm, that is going to be a scary frontcourt for opposing teams to deal with in the next 10 years. Add keeping Holiday in the equation, and they might be a top 6 seed in the Western Conference next year.