Biggest Winners, Losers & Surprises of the 2013 NBA Draft
Winners
Sacramento Kings - Kings were able to select Kansas Shooting Guard Ben McLemore with the #7 pick. McLemore arguably has the most potential in the whole draft class and maybe the most talented player too.
Philadelphia 76ers - the 76ers were able to swing a trade to land most people's #1 overall propsect Nerlens Noel, the Center from Kentucky. Philadelphia was able to draft Michael Carter-Williams from Syracuse. Carter-Williams is a talented floor general with great court vision. If He can develop a solid jumper, he can be one of the best players from this draft class. the 76ers were able to snatch up in the 2nd round Glen Rice Jr, who played in the D-League last year and is one of the most NBA ready players drafted.
Losers
Milwaukee Bucks - The Bucks could end up losing two of the team's best players in Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings. Milwauke drafted Greek Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo who is probably at a minimum of 2 years away from contributing to the team. While Antetokounmpo was this draft's "mystery man," his addition to the roster did not entice Jennings or Ellis to stick around.
Indiana Pacers - Indiana was so close to taking their Cinderella story of a season to the NBA Finals. The pacers were hoping to come out of this year's draft with a player from the 1st round who can contribute to the scoring right away. The Pacers selected Solomon Hill, the Small Forward from Arizona that should have returned to college to sharpen his skills and draft stock. Without any question, the Pacers reached to select Hill who was not a lock to even be drafted and a player with limited upside.
Biggest Surprise of the Draft
Nerlens Noel - Nerlens Noel, the big man from Kentucky, who was predicted by most to be the #1 overall pick in the draft slid all the way to #6 to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans then shipped Noel to Philadelphia.
Solomon Hill - Solomon Hill was not even predicted to be drafted by most was selected in the first round by the Indiana Pacers. Hill lacks upside and does not fill a team need for the Pacers who are a bench player or two away from the NBA Finals.
By Steven Spector - 6 -29-13
