With the New Orleans Pelicans preparing for the regular season in a few months, summer is a time for fun lists and predictions while everyone patiently waits for the sport of basketball to start up again.

One of them was created by HoopsHype and listed the 78 best players in NBA history.

One notable selection was former Pelicans guard Chris Paul, who came in at number 28.

Paul was drafted No. 4 overall by the franchise in 2005 when they were still known as the Hornets. He quickly made a name for himself despite the team having to relocate that year following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The team moved to Oklahoma City for the first two years of his career.

The former Wake Forest star won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, just one vote short of being a unanimous choice. He was the best rookie in points, assists, steals and double-doubles. His third year was his best as a Hornet, when the team returned to New Orleans full-time.

This season, Paul made the All-Star team for the first time, with the city hosting All-Star weekend.

The Hornets finished the year with a franchise-record 56 wins. Their star guard finished second in the MVP voting, narrowly losing the award to Kobe Bryant. New Orleans lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the playoffs in Game 7 of that series.

In the following years, the Hornets never made it past the first round of the playoffs.

Fearing that he would be sent to Paul as a free agent, the team began looking for trade partners for him. An initial deal to send him to the Lakers was already in place before the NBA intervened and called off the deal. New Orleans did not have an owner at the time, so the league acted on their behalf.

He was eventually traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, where he spent the next five seasons.

Paul finished his tenure in New Orleans averaging 18.7 points, 9.9 assists and 4.6 rebounds in 425 games. He is still the franchise leader in assists, steals and triple-doubles.

Paul is entering his 20th year in the league and will play for Spurs this season, helping to mould future superstar Victor Wembanyama.

The veteran is still seeking his first NBA title, the last goal remaining on his stellar resume.

Paul is a 12-time All-Star, a nine-time All-NBA selection, and was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.