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NBA Power Rankings: All 30 Teams’ Needs at Trade Deadline

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic (1) dribbles against the Utah Jazz at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic (1) dribbles against the Utah Jazz at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and guard Jrue Holiday (11) sit on the bench during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and guard Jrue Holiday (11) sit on the bench during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

16. New Orleans Pelicans

Previous: No. 16

Record: 27-26

Last Week: 0-1

Biggest Need: Perimeter Defense

The New Orleans Pelicans have an MVP candidate in Anthony Davis and a cast of high-quality players around him. The way the roster fits together is debatable, but the potential is immense.

What the Pelicans are missing is depth.

Toney Douglas helps to improve the point guard position, but the Pelicans still need a second unit playmaker. Whether that player be a facilitator or a scorer, that type of presence is absolutely vital to complementing the starters.

for quite some time, depth hasn’t been available in New Orleans.

Eric Gordon was supposed to provide 3-and-D value, but that hasn’t come to fruition. The foundation of the Pelicans’ perimeter is a blend of ball-dominant slashers, reasonably efficient shooters and underachieving defenders.

If a man-to-man defensive specialist or a high-caliber playmaker is available, New Orleans should make the necessary move to land them.

Next: Hanging onto No. 8