2019 Pelicans Hope New Player Mix Speeds Rebuilding Phase

2019 New Orleans Pelicans Betting Storylines

It was as strange an offseason as you can get in New Orleans. The team was forced to trade away their franchise player, bullied into it by the guy and his representatives. Normally that kind of thing just breeds anger and resentment with the team left behind. Yet it would be tough to find anyone who is anything but bubbling with optimism around this Pelicans squad. Anthony who? This is Zion's team now. True freaks don't come around in this league that often, and it sure seems as if New Orleans landed themselves one. And if Williamson can emerge into his full potential, and if the assets acquired in the Davis trade can turn into more potential, then this summer will be remembered as the best ever in New Orleans - not the one that sent the team spiraling. It feels like it's all out of a movie script.

2019 New Orleans Pelicans Additions and Departures

Anthony Davis no longer wanted to play in New Orleans. He made that clear. And though I have nothing but respect for what Davis could do, I don't feel like that is a terrible thing for the Pelicans. He's a wildly talented guy - no doubt about that. But he couldn't stay healthy. And when he did, he hadn't found a way to do enough to lead this team beyond the fringes of contending. The fact that this team didn't become great isn't entirely his fault, obviously, but when a megastar doesn't put a team on his back and lead them beyond where they should be on paper, then you have to wonder. Davis is good enough that I can judge him for not having done enough even when he has played better than almost anyone. The lucky break for the Pelicans was that timing worked out that Davis had to leave via a trade instead of free agency. The Cavaliers can tell you how much that matters. And by trading him, the Pelicans have, at least on paper, jumped right through the rebuild that typically follows the departure of a guy like Davis. In so many ways, the Pelicans this year are just the Lakers of last year with the addition of Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Brandon Ingram, as well as three first-round picks, including this year's at No. 4. They then traded that fourth pick, which wound up being De'Andre Hunter along with Solomon Hill and a second rounder to Atlanta for picks 8, 17 and 35. In order, they took center Jaxson Hayes, guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and a Brazilian who is years off. The first two will get their chance to prove themselves on this team.

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Luck was on their side, and the Pelicans landed the top pick in the lottery with their own pick. And that landed them Zion Williamson. We have no idea what he will be because we haven't seen a guy like him. The hype is out of control, though - and him scoring 29 points while missing just one shot in his second preseason game didn't ease things up. Those points only came against the Bulls, and Chicago went deep on their bench in the second half, so it's hard to know what it means. But he was impressive - if one-dimensionally offensive - there as he was for Duke last year, so the imagination is fired up. His ceiling is the next LeBron - though in a style of his own. The possibility of an injury-riddled, short career are real, too, given his size and aggressive play. He's a riddle, but the kind that all 30 teams in the league would love to have to deal with.

There are more changes to discuss as well. The squad added Derrick Favors to be the starting center. The long time Utah stalwart is defensively excellent, and a good addition to this young roster. And J.J. Redick, coming off a career high for scoring last year for Philly at age 34, was added to the roster as well.

2019 New Orleans Pelicans Futures Odds and Trends

New Orleans Pelicans Futures Odds

NBA title odds : +8000

Western Conference title odds : +5000

Southwest Division title odds: +1000

Zion Williamson MVP Odds : +5000

Season win total: 38.5

Will the New Orleans Pelicans make the playoffs: Yes +210, No -240

The season was a disaster on the court for the team last year, but it was good in one way - they were a pleasure to bet against. At 37-44-1 ATS, they eclipsed only five teams in the ATS ranks. They went over 44 times and under 37, so they were nicely profitable on totals in the long term as well.

2019 New Orleans Pelicans Predictions and Futures Odds Picks

This is just a fascinating team. Of the core rotation, the only piece that sticks around is Jrue Holiday. Ball, Ingram, Hart, Redick, Favors, Hayes, Alexander-Walker, and of course Williamson - all new. That's a stunning amount of change, and it leaves us a whole lot of questions about fit, chemistry, and so on. And that, in turn, makes it all but impossible to judge this team. If Williamson explodes out of the gate, the roster first together, and all is good, then they could be in the mix for a low playoff spot - and a very fast playoff departure. But the payoff race is brutally tough this year. And despite the interesting roster, this feels like a team that needs a little time. They won 33 games last year, and what we want to see is some real progress. Signs that this is a team on a climb. A team that isn't going to be stuck in a long rebuild. One that isn't sucked into a void left by the departure of Davis. I just don't know what to do with this season win total . I would lean to the over, but not with a ton of enthusiasm.

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