New Orleans Pelicans: 3 bold predictions for 2018-19 NBA season

PHILADELPHIA,PA - FEBRUARY 9 : Anthony Davis #23, Jrue Holiday #11 and Nikola Mirotic #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans look on against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on February 9, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The New Orleans Pelicans are looking to build on the best season of Anthony Davis’ career. To do so, they’ll need to take a few major steps forward in 2018-19.

Following a 48-win season and a playoff series victory in 2017-18, things are pointing in the right direction for the New Orleans Pelicans.

After losing DeMarcus Cousins to an Achilles tear in late January, the Pelicans actually played better as head coach Alvin Gentry opted to push the pace and largely surround franchise centerpiece Anthony Davis with shooters. That pace, combined with AD’s all-world defensive abilities, helped the Pels handle the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round — just the second playoff series the franchise has ever won.

With Cousins heading to the Golden State Warriors over the offseason, Davis will now have full control of a Pelicans team trying to capitalize on the magic it found in the spring.

The stakes are sky-high as well, with ESPN‘s report of Anthony Davis’s recent decision to fire his longtime agent Thad Foucher causing all kinds of worry about his future with the franchise among Pelicans fans.

To appease AD, New Orleans will have to continue to pile up the wins this year. With that in mind, here are three predictions for New Orleans’ 2018-19 season that are as bold (and rosy) as it gets.

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