This offseason for the Pelicans was devoid of any fireworks. The team focused exclusively on continuity, but who's to say things couldn't be shaken up midseason.
5. Omer Asik will look like a bargain during this season
Ever since the reports came out that Omer Asik signed his 5 year 60 million dollar contract, people immediately called this a "overpay". Now 12 million dollars is a lot of money, but after the 2016 offseason, Omer Asik will most likely not even be in the top 20 when it comes to highest paid centers. But my prediction this season is that Omer Asik will seem worth every dollar, and henceforth, silence his critics.
4. Ryan Anderson will not be traded.
Oh the story of Ryan Anderson.....man how does this guy sleep at night? It seems like since the very second we acquired him in 2012, he's been the subject to trade rumor after trade rumor. Anderson, in my opinion, has been a huge bright spot for this roster over the years, but to others he's a just a valuable trade chip. I don't think that's fair. To me Ryan was our best player in 2012. He took the scoring load all season, after injuries plagued this roster. I love him as our sixth man and the leader off the bench. My prediction is he'll again be the subject of a volume of trade rumors, but none will come true.
3. Quincy Pondexter will become New Orleans version of Demarre Caroll.
Again guys, this is a hypothetical article. Quincy Pondexer basically saved the season the last year. He was a unsung hero who came in and provided heart, defense, hustle, and the 3 and D player we desperately needed. He was given a starting opportunity and did not disappoint. I feel like Pondexter can flourish in Gentrys floor spacing system, and really develop like Demarre Carroll did under Budenholzers system. Maybe, just maybe, our search for the consistent SF is finally over.
2. Eric Gordon will finally be the player we paid for.
In the summer of 2012, we matched the Phoenix Suns offer of 4 years 58 million for Eric Gordon. At the time, this seemed like a no brainier move as Gordon was our only true star. Since then things could not be uglier. Eric Gordon is a fringe starter who can't play more than 30 games a season. Things will look a whole lot different in the 2015-2016 season. Gentry could save this mans career and really make him worth the 15 million dollars. I'm not saying he'll be back to his Clippers days, but at least a sure fire starter who you can trust with the ball in his hands.
1. Tyreke Evans will be our starting PG.
I'm tired of injuries. I'm tired of having high hopes for a upcoming season and having those hopes be shot down by a injury. I know I'm not alone. And I know management feels the same way. I have a funny feeling if Jrue Holiday has one more long term injury, management will throw in the towel and give the starting spot to someone who can be trusted as our franchise point guard. That someone is Tyreke Evans. Tyreke took over the reigns last season and did not disappoint. He carried this team during portions of the season and I thank him for that. Listen, I love Jrue Holiday and I love how he has untapped potential. But the key word there is potential. He should've unlocked that by now, but injuries have completely derailed that and it seems like these injuries won't go away. This upcoming season I predict Tyreke will be our PG of the future and a Holiday trade can be expected soon after.
BY HUNTER HELMS