NBA Power Rankings: Blake Griffin trade shakes things up

The Pelicans had three wins this week, but things could not have gone any worse for them with the news that DeMarcus Cousins rupturing his Achilles tendon in the final seconds of their game against the Rockets. The All-Star center was having one of the best seasons of his career, on pace to take the Pelicans to the postseason alongside Anthony Davis. Alvin Gentry used a rotation that kept one of his big men on the court for most of the game, and now, he has to either go small or see if Cheick Diallo is ready for a bigger role. Cousins will enter unrestricted free agency this summer with the major question mark hanging over his head of his health, and if he’ll ever be the same player again. For now, we’re all grieving with the Pelicans fans and organization.

Dropping them five spots may not be far enough.