re: What off-season moves make the Pelicans contenders in 17-18?

That 5-10% chance of contention that you gave is a path that I'd like to pursue, get some one season fill ins, swing hard for a John Wall type in the next season or two. May or may not get it, but it's something that could make them a contender of sorts (whatever that means).

What I'm intrigued with, and what I'd try to sell a John Wall on, provided the prior season went reasonably well, is a chance to make history. Sell him on a shot to be part of a team that takes the next big step in the NBA, flying in the face of conventional small ball. The team could become a terror/dark horse, or could be another Memphis, but the potential is so tantalizing I'd think that a star guard/wing might give it a crack.