The 3 most intriguing teams to watch in the NBA right now

NBA team to watch No. 1: New Orleans Pelicans

The obvious answer here is the New Orleans Pelicans, which is absolutely remarkable when you consider they’re not even guaranteed to make the playoffs. But there is just so much going on here nightly that you have to watch. Crucially, and unlike in Phoenix and Brooklyn, there is as much good as there is bad, which makes it even more compelling.

Zion Williamson is already, after such a short amount of time in the league (76 games to be exact), one of the most interesting players in recent memory. He is so bulky, yet even though you think every play will finish at the rim, some of his 26.8 points per game come from outside the paint. He is also a willing and good passer too.

This is all well and good, but the body language of All-Star Brandon Ingram would suggest he feels this should be his team. He’s got good reason to feel this way as well, he is a terrific offensive talent. Durant comparisons are lazy and based around body type mostly, but there is some of the Nets superstar in Ingram’s game. Yet Williamson sees more plays run for him.

This internal power struggle is fascinating, while there is a head coach in Stan van Gundy who, despite preaching defensively discipline, doesn’t look like the long-term solution here. We haven’t even gotten to Lonzo Ball yet, who might be the most misunderstood player in the league. It hasn’t helped that his younger brother was tearing it up with the Charlotte Hornets before his injury.

But the older Ball brother would appear to be the perfect fit here. He defends at a borderline elite level, and his 3-point shooting is in a much better place than it was before. Then you’ve got Eric Bledsoe who still carries himself like he’s the second or third option on the Milwaukee Bucks when his reality is a bit different now.

All of the pieces are there, including Josh Hart and even Jaxson Hayes and James Johnson. Naji Marshall has given them something recently, although the reliance on Steven Adams probably has to stop soon. On paper that’s a playoff team, but the reality is that right now the Pelicans are 25-32. How amazing would it be to see them sneak in as an eighth seed? Who would want to face this collection of individuals? Even more intriguing, is how this puzzle will be figured out.