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NBA: 5 Teams That Desperately Need The No. 1 Pick

By Colby Giacubeno

Jan 9, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) smiles as he looks on against the Florida Gators during the first half at Stephen C. O
Jan 9, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) smiles as he looks on against the Florida Gators during the first half at Stephen C. O /
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Dec 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) talks to head coach Alvin Gentry during the first half of a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) talks to head coach Alvin Gentry during the first half of a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5 New Orleans Pelicans

The struggling start to the 2015-16 was unexpected for the Pelicans. They were coming off a promising season making a playoff appearance for the first time in three seasons. The emergence of Anthony Davis as the NBA’s next best player lurked as the team was able to hire the assistant of the NBA champion Golden State Warriors, Alvin Gentry, as their head coach.

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Rattled by injuries and a change of philosophy with Gentry, it was realistic to think that their would be some speed bumps to the beginning of the season. But now 39 games in and sporting a 13-26 record, it is getting more and more to the point that the Pelicans should look to try and put themselves in the best position to get a top-5 pick (best-case scenario, the No. 1 pick).

The potential pairing of Simmons and Davis would be lethal for many years if the Pelicans were able to land the top pick. Even though it seems the Pelicans have a solid roster, there are a number of key players that are extremely injury-prone.

Davis is expected to become the face of the NBA once LeBron James starts to decline. If you give him at least one more star player, sky’s the limit in New Orleans. Simmons would be a great fit to play the point-forward position that he is currently playing along with adding athletic size next to Davis in the frontcourt.

Next: No. 4