New Orleans Pelicans: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

Having missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season, here are five bold predictions for the New Orleans Pelicans in 2017-18.

New Orleans Pelicans general manager Dell Demps made an enormous gamble last season on a couple of levels.

Firstly, in the modern-day era of “small-ball,” Demps instead decided to center his focus on teaming together two of the absolute elite big men in the league in Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins.

Secondly, the fact that Demps risked the future of his resident superstar in Davis by acquiring Cousins via trade certainly raised a lot of eyebrows.

While Cousins’ talent level has never been in question, it’s instead been the excess baggage, such as his demeanor and attitude, that has plagued the 27-year-old throughout his seven-year career.

Therefore at the time of the deal, Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry was focused on getting to know Cousins away from the basketball court:

"“I think what people don’t understand is, at the end of the day, he’s a 26-year-old young man that has feelings and he was deeply hurt. Because that’s been his home the last six[-plus] years and all of a sudden, he’s not there. I don’t think people understand the impact that has. I just wanted him to know that we were excited to have him.”"

Thus far, it’s very difficult to ascertain the effectiveness of Davis and Cousins as a duo, with Cousins playing just 17 games following the trade, in which time the Pelicans posted a 7-10 record.

In addition to Cousins, the Pelicans also welcome aboard four-time All-Star point guard Rajon rondo. A former teammate of Cousins with the Sacramento Kings, Rondo’s arrival means that incumbent point guard, Jrue Holiday, will be shifting to the 2-guard spot.

So with a number of interesting storylines to follow, here are five bold predictions for the Pelicans in season 2017-18.