The New Orleans Pelicans are built on the broad shoulders of Anthony Davis. New Orleans went just 30-52 last season after Davis got injured and missed a large portion of the season. With the NBA Draft coming on June 23, the Pelicans will be looking to find the next big piece of the puzzle to move them back into playoff contention. Here are a few key free agent decisions and draft decisions that the team is facing with the draft upcoming.
Ryan Anderson averaged 17 points a game off the bench for the Pelicans but is an unrestricted free agent that may want to leave town looking for a starting job. Eric Gordon averaged 15.2 points a game as well and is a free agent. These two players can signal whether or not the Pelicans have a serious chance at making the playoffs or not with a healthy Davis, who was dominant all year with 24.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
The team has the No. 6 spot and may find themselves with a scoring machine there in Oklahoma guard Buddy Hield, who lit up the college world last season for 25 points a game. Hield should come right in and score huge points which could be needed if Gordon and/or Anderson leave New Orleans. Hield and Davis have the potential to be a 1-2 punch to reckon with for time to come if the Pelicans decide to go that direction. New Orleans may be just one piece away from the playoffs again.
NBA Draft 2016: New Orleans Pelicans Draft Picks, Holes & Needs
