9. New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans went 9-6 over the last 15 games of the regular season to clinch a spot in the Play-In Tournament and then a shot at the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs. New Orleans lost in six games to the Suns but showed enough to garner some confidence heading into the offseason.
Led by Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum, the Pelicans had a positive ending to the season. The return of Zion Williamson from injury should help propel the Pelicans back into the discussion for the playoffs.
It won’t be easy, but the sky is not falling for New Orleans after quite the mess of an offseason from last summer. And if Zion looks like his old self, there won’t be much holding this team back from making the playoffs once again. But we don’t know what version of Zion we’ll get this season. And that’s a big question.