Surprise! It’s the New Orleans Pelicans!

The Pelicans look to become this year’s version of the 2013-14 Phoenix Suns.

Last August, most analysts and casual fans alike were not under the belief that the Phoenix Suns would amount to much during the season. A majority could probably not name their starting lineup, let alone tell who was on their bench. But suddenly, Phoenix was ablaze of more than just Suns as the team took the league by storm. Phoenix was on the verge of its first playoff appearance in four years until the final few games. After the dust settled, Phoenix was left with much to desire, resting in ninth place in the rigorous Western Conference. As the 2014-15 season approaches, the question now becomes, “Who’s next?”

We turn our attention to a franchise that is now facing a four-year playoff drought and in the wake of a complete transformation of its own image. The New Orleans Pelicans have all the pieces in place to make a legitimate run at a playoff berth, even in an unforgiving conference. While they showed improvement last season and had signs of a better team than their record indicated, it was this year’s offseason that really motivated me to believe in them.

Starting with the trade of Pierre Jackson to the 76ers in exchange for Russ Smith, the Pelicans have made several moves (mostly smaller, but some more prevalent) to improve specific spots of their roster. The Russ Smith acquisition may have seemed ill-advised at the time, considering the way Pierre Jackson ripped through the D-League last year. However, in retrospect, they may have lucked into the better half of this deal. Jackson suffered an Achilles injury during the summer and will now be forced to sit out at least this season. Russ Smith may be able to provide valuable minutes off the bench — he’s proven to be an accomplished player after leading Louisville following Peyton Siva’s departure to the NBA in 2013.

After trading for Smith, the Pelicans easily pried Omer Asik out of the Houston Rockets’ hands as they attempted to clear cap space for a high-profile free agent. In return, New Orleans dealt its 2015 first-round pick, a sign that clearly indicates its willingness to play for this season. Asik is a rim protector and a good rebounder, which should help improve the Pelicans’ standing in that category (22nd last season), as well as strengthening their interior defense (New Orleans allowed 43.8 points in the paint last season). The move also allows Anthony Davis to shift back to his natural position of power forward.

Speaking of Davis, he is a bona fide MVP candidate and should only continue to improve as the talent surrounding him becomes increasingly better. At 21, Davis has plenty of time to continue to rise in the superstar rankings, and it’s feasible to see him rank in the top 10 in scoring and rebounding for several years. Davis posted career-high averages of 20.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and (a league-leading) 2.8 blocks last year. There’s no reason to think he can’t increase some of these numbers.

Finally the Pelicans added a few key pieces around their young and improving roster by signing Patric Young, a talented rebounder, Jimmer Fredette, a skilled shooter, and John Salmons, a veteran presence that can mentor the younger guys while still being able to contribute on the floor. All things considered, it appears the Pelicans have what it takes to become a playoff team. The only problem will be the 10+ teams poised to have a great shot at making the playoffs in the Western Conference this year, including Phoenix. I believe that New Orleans can make it, but it will take nothing short of excellence from Davis and a good all-around effort from the rest of the team in order to make it happen.