Nerlens Noel falling in the 2013 NBA Draft to No. 6 overall instead of being selected No. 1 was already a big enough surprise, but what was even more shocking was seeing him get traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Jrue Holiday.
According to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pelicans are getting Holiday and the No. 42 overall pick in the 2013 draft in exchange for Noel and a protected first-round pick in 2014.
The trade is an absolute stunner.
Holiday has steadily improved each season since being drafted by the Sixers in 2009. The 23-year-old averaged a career-high 17.7 points and 8 assists per game and was even a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team last season. He helped the Sixers reach the playoffs twice, including a run to the Eastern Conference semis two seasons ago.
Holiday appeared to be a future franchise cornerstone for the Sixers, so it’s shocking to see them trade him so quickly. Maybe they figure this is his peak value.
“(Jrue) is shocked. He understands its as business as well. He’s OK. It is what it is. Something we didn’t expect,” Holiday’s agent Tony Dutt told Yahoo! Sports’ Marc J. Spears.
The Sixers also selected Syracuse PG Michael Carter-Williams No. 11 overall. He was an excellent defender in college and figures to be Philly’s new starting point guard as they overhaul the roster.
The Sixers made a bold move trading for Andrew Bynum last year. After that move blew up on them — Bynum never played a game because of multiple injuries — they decided to remake the entire team.
