New Orleans Pelicans: 2017-18 NBA season preview

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 02: Chicago Bulls guard Rajon Rondo (9) has a shot blocked by New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the against the Chicago Bulls on April 2, 2017, at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA. Bull won 117-110. (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

The New Orleans Pelicans have been in full win-now mode over the past three seasons, yet have not sniffed the playoffs in either of the last two. As a result, they enter 2017-18 more desperate for a berth than any team in the league.

There was a time — February of 2017, to be exact — when the New Orleans Pelicans were expected to push the undersized Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs.

After trading what amounted to Buddy Hield and the No. 10 pick for DeMarcus Cousins over All-Star Weekend, it was assumed that the Pelicans would come roaring out of the break. In reality, they hit some of their usual roadblocks. Health, personnel fit and depth prevented the team from making a late push, and they won in only seven of Cousins’ 17 appearances.

The Pelicans have invested cap space, youth and future picks into this current core, yet have stagnated since their 2014-15 playoff taste. Entering 2017-18, they need better results.

2016-17 Vitals

34-48, 4th in Southwest Division, 10th in Western Conference
104.3 PPG (18th)/106.4 OPP PPG (17th)
105.2 Offensive Rating (25th)/107.4 Defensive Rating (9th)

Team Leaders
Scoring: Anthony Davis, 28.0 PPG
Rebounding: DeMarcus Cousins, 12.4 RPG*
Assists: Jrue Holiday, 7.3 APG
Steals: Jrue Holiday, 1.5 SPG
Blocks: Anthony Davis, 2.2 BPG

Honors
All-NBA First Team: Anthony Davis
All-Defensive Second Team: Anthony Davis

*in 17 games

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