NBA: Ranking all 30 starting power forwards for 2018-19

13. Nikola Mirotic, New Orleans Pelicans

Sometimes fit is everything. Individually, Nikola Mirotic probably isn’t better than the last few names on this list. As a stretch-4 for the New Orleans Pelicans though, playing alongside Anthony Davis in the frontcourt, Mirotic morphed into the full-fledged “3-Kola” that rained down burning embers on unsuspecting postseason nets.

Okay, so maybe that’s a bit dramatic, but if Alvin Gentry is smart, he will continue to play the Brow at the 5 and let Mirotic spread the floor as the team’s starting 4. With DeMarcus Cousins gone and Julius Randle capable of wreaking havoc off the bench as a 4 or a small-ball 5, it just makes too much sense based on what we saw last year.

His 30-game sample size during the regular season wasn’t anything to write home about, with Mirotic posting 14.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game on .427/.335/.810 shooting splits. However, the team was deadly with Davis at center, and in the postseason, Mirotic looked way more comfortable, unleashing 15.0 points and 9.6 boards per game on 43.1 percent shooting from deep. This partnership is a good one, and it should thrive in their first full season together.