Jan 21, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; A detailed view of a secondary logo for the New Orleans Pelicans unveiled during a press conference to announce the rebranding of the New Orleans Hornets effective in the 2013-2014 NBA season at the New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The new look New Orleans Pelicans are ready to take flight in the upcoming 2013-2014 season. The Pelicans made some key acquisitions in the off-season that perhaps has propelled the team into the playoff hunt. During the June NBA draft, the Pelicans selected Nerlens Noel of Kentucky University and followed that up by trading his rights to the Philadelphia 76ers for Jrue Holiday in return. Once Holiday was acquired, the Pelicans traded starting point guard Greivis Vasquez to the Sacramento Kings for combo guard Tyreke Evans and also sent Robin Lopez to the Portland Trail Blazers for rookie center Jeff Withey. The Pelicans worked the free agent wire by acquiring shooting guard/small forward Anthony Morrow, signing him to a 2-year deal and also signed center Greg Stiemsma to a 1-year contract.

The Pelicans will more than likely be seen with a handful of different starting line ups this coming year. The back court could become crowded with newly acquired guards Evans and Holiday to play along side Eric Gordon, while also trying to develop second year guard Austin Rivers. Greg Oden has been on the radar for the Pelicans to sign and if they do sign Oden, I believe he will become the starting center to allow Davis to play his natural position at the 4 spot. I have Ryan Anderson in the starting rotation only because he will be making $8.3 million this upcoming year and I can’t justify him coming off the bench for that salary as long as there is not a dominant center in the rotation. The two possible lineups I believe will be seen the most by the Pelicans this coming season will be:

Main Rotation: (Evans playing small forward position allowing two wings for Holiday and Davis to feed)

Starters Reserves

PG – Jrue Holiday Roberts/Evans

SG – Eric Gordon Evans/Rivers/Morrow

SF – Tyreke Evans Aminu/Miller

PF– Ryan Anderson Davis/Smith/Aminu

C – Anthony Davis Withey/Stiemsma/Smith

Secondary Rotation: (Allows Evans to come off bench and have ball in hands more, gives Pelicans more size)

Starters Reserves

PG – Jrue Holiday Evans/Roberts

SG – Eric Gordon Rivers/Morrow/Evans

SF – Al-Farouq Aminu Evans/Miller

PF– Ryan Anderson Davis/Smith/Aminu

C – Anthony Davis Withey/Stiemsma/Smith