Through nearly the first half of the 2016 season, the New Orleans Pelicans have done a masterful job of staying on both sides of the equation in two relevant races. On the one hand, they have theoretically always remained within striking distance of a 2016 playoff berth. On the other, their record has normally been on pace of fetching a top-5 pick in the upcoming 2016 NBA Draft.
Before any games tipped Sunday, the Pelicans find themselves a mere 4.5 games behind the Utah Jazz for the 8th seed in the Western Conference.