New Orleans Pelicans' Ideal Starting 5 For 2016-17 Season

By Chipper Murphy

The New Orleans Pelicans took a step back in 2015-16 after being decimated by injuries. New head coach Alvin Gentry needs a full season with a healthy roster to implement his system before any judgments can be made about him as a coach.

These are some changes the Pelicans can make to help move things along. This is the ideal starting five for the Pelicans in 2016-17.

New Orleans Pelicans\' Ideal Starting 5 For 2016-17 Season
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5. Center — Omer Asik

Center — Omer Asik Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
For better or worse, the Pelicans are stuck with Omer Asik. In hindsight, that $60 million contract won't be as terrible as it looked if they can get something out of their defensive big man.

5. Center — Omer Asik

For better or worse, the Pelicans are stuck with Omer Asik. In hindsight, that $60 million contract won't be as terrible as it looked if they can get something out of their defensive big man.

4. Power Forward — Anthony Davis

Power Forward — Anthony Davis Credit: Getty Images
Anthony Davis missed over 20 games due to injury, which put a damper on any potential success the Pelicans could have had. They'd like to have him on the court for more than 70 games in 2016-17.

4. Power Forward — Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis missed over 20 games due to injury, which put a damper on any potential success the Pelicans could have had. They'd like to have him on the court for more than 70 games in 2016-17.

3. Small Forward — Nicolas Batum

Small Forward — Nicolas Batum Credit: Getty Images
The Pelicans are another team that should chase after Nicolas Batum. If it comes down to maxing out Batum or pending free agent Ryan Anderson, they should pick Batum.

3. Small Forward — Nicolas Batum

The Pelicans are another team that should chase after Nicolas Batum. If it comes down to maxing out Batum or pending free agent Ryan Anderson, they should pick Batum.

2. Shooting Guard — Courtney Lee

Shooting Guard — Courtney Lee Credit: Getty Images
Lee had the best shooting season of his career in 2015-16, and he's a solid defender. The Pelicans need all the help they can get on the defensive end as they were 28th in points allowed per 100 possessions.

2. Shooting Guard — Courtney Lee

Lee had the best shooting season of his career in 2015-16, and he's a solid defender. The Pelicans need all the help they can get on the defensive end as they were 28th in points allowed per 100 possessions.

1. Point Guard — Jrue Holiday

Point Guard — Jrue Holiday Credit: Getty Images
The Pelicans haven't had a healthy Jrue Holiday since he was acquired back in 2013. Their ideal starting point guard would be Holiday at 100 percent.

1. Point Guard — Jrue Holiday

The Pelicans haven't had a healthy Jrue Holiday since he was acquired back in 2013. Their ideal starting point guard would be Holiday at 100 percent.

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