The Philadelphia 76ers are going big in the 2013 NBA Draft.
According to multiple reports, the 76ers will send guard Jrue Holiday to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for center Nerlens Noel, who was selected with the No. 6 overall pick Thursday night. Along with Noel, the Pelicans will send the Sixers a 2014 first-round pick, which is top-three protected.
By trading for Noel, the former Kentucky center, it would seem to indicate the 76ers don't have a lot of interest in re-signing Andrew Bynum. Trading Holiday, an All-Star, is a major price to pay, but the 2014 first-round pick could be incredibly valuable in the long term as next year's draft is viewed as one of the more talented and deep in recent memory.
It's a risky move for the 76ers but one that could pay off in the long run. Holiday is a terrific player, but the Sixers are under new front-office management and are looking to build a new roster.
With their No. 11 pick, the Sixers took guard Michael Carter-Williams from Syracuse to replace Holiday, so really, the overall deal works out pretty nicely for the Sixers. They're beginning a bit of youth rebuild around Noel and Carter-Williams, but that's two lottery picks and potentially another one next season. I'd say the Sixers are off to a great start.
The Pelicans have Greivis Vasquez and youngster Austin Rivers, but Holiday will step in and be their starter and pair with Eric Gordon in the backcourt. It gives the Pelicans a quality young core and a chance to make an impact next season.
