New Orleans Pelicans: Top 10 draft picks in franchise history

#10) Nerlens Noel

The 2013 NBA Draft marked the second consecutive first-round selection made by the New Orleans Pelicans that would net them a shot-blocking extraordinaire out of the University of Kentucky. Nerlens Noel was selected 6th overall by the Pelicans after mustering out 4.4 blocks and 2.1 steals per game as a freshman.

However, his offensive repertoire was limited. He was quick and incredibly athletic but had no shot to speak of whatsoever. Still, he had immense potential as a raw, athletic, shot blocker and there were some mock drafts that had him go as early as the first pick of the draft, like Chris Mannix’s of Sports Illustrated.

We didn’t know where he was going to land, but when he slipped to 6th, that came as a shock to many. But that wasn’t going to be the only surprise surrounding Noel’s draft day. Once drafted by the Pelicans, he was then traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a package centered around Jrue Holiday.

With this trade, a “process” was born in Philly and a new era begun in New Orleans.