The summer forecasts from the sports leader are in and ESPN predicts the New Orleans Pelicans will finish 11th in the Western Conference standings, up just one spot from last seasons ugly finish.
In 2015-16, the Pelicans posted a record of 30-52, but in hindsight that wasn’t entirely shocking. Team personnel missed a grand total of 351 games due to injury or illness. That mark easily led the league, and only three other teams (Grizzlies, Wizards and Sixers) saw their rosters surpass the 250 game limit.
Therefore, it might come as a surprise to some to see ESPN’s panel project a 35-47 record for the 2016-17 season.