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2016 NBA Predictions: A look at each team in the league

By Keith Rivas

Oct 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) talk during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) talk during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /
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New Orleans Pelicans

Oct 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Buddy Hield (24) during the second half of a game against the Indiana Pacers at the Smoothie King Center. The Pacers defeated the Pelicans 113-96. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Buddy Hield (24) during the second half of a game against the Indiana Pacers at the Smoothie King Center. The Pacers defeated the Pelicans 113-96. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

New Orleans has had plenty of thoughts in the “what-if” category.

Anthony Davis is their best player when healthy, but he can’t do it all by himself.

In the most recent NBA draft, New Orleans seemed to notice that it might need another superstar to truly compete — enter Buddy Hield.

The former Oklahoma standout joins the Pelicans this season with improvement, not necessarily playoffs, in mind.

Lance Stephenson is also a new addition for the Pelicans, and he’s either hot or cold with no in-between. When he was with the Indiana Pacers, there was a tenacity and passion about him that couldn’t be matched.

This carried into the playoffs, making waves when his personality clashed with LeBron James.

Outside of that, the team finished last in the Southwest division and only had 30 wins.

If they can get over some of the mental hurdles they’re facing, they’ll be decent this season with a promising future.

Season Prediction: (40-42), 5th in Southwest

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