New Orleans Pelicans to surprise?

With power forward Ryan Anderson and point guard Jrue Holiday returning from injuries, the addition of center Omer Asik and the development of big man Anthony Davis into one of the league’s elite players, the New Orleans Pelicans could get into the postseason.

The New Orleans Pelicans have made a lot of big moves over the last few years.

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They acquired power forward Ryan Anderson from the Orlando Magic in a sign-and-trade, dealt two first round picks to the Philadelphia 76ers for point guard Jrue Holiday and signed guard Tyreke Evans away from the Sacramento Kings. Although many of those transactions were praised, all of those moves have been trumped by the selection of big man Anthony Davis, who is becoming one of the league’s elite players.

This year, the New Orleans Pelicans bolstered their roster by striking a deal with the Houston Rockets to acquire center Omer Asik.

Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders believes the New Orleans Pelicans may be this year’s surprise team. Kennedy says they could be “really really good” and explains they “were a very talented team last year, but injuries to all of their key players ruined their season.” He points out that Davis, Anderson, Gordon, Holiday, Evans and Jason Smith missed a combined 202 games due to injuries.

Kennedy also stresses that with the development of Davis combined with the acquisition of Asik, “teams will have trouble against that frontcourt.”

Of course, in the loaded Western Conference, making the playoffs is a tall task. Last season, the Phoenix Suns finished with a record of 48-34 and did not get into the postseason. However, if the New Orleans Pelicans remain healthy, they have a chance to make their way into the dance.

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