If the season ended today, the Pelicans would have the 6th best odds in the 2016 draft. With only two games left, it is in their best interest to try and secure that position and avoid the possibility of falling farther behind.
Due to the complexities of tie-breaker rules, it is now impossible that the Pelicans get the 5th pick in the draft. As it stands, they will either get the 6th best odds, or odds which are far worse.
The two competitors are the Knicks and the Kings. Each with exactly two more wins than losses over the Pelicans, and each with exactly two games left.