NBA Draft 2013: 5 Story Lines Coming Out Of Draft Night

The dust has barely settled on the 2013 NBA Draft, but what an exciting roller coaster it was. Mock drafts were completely off; trades were plentiful and the Boston Celtics managed to trade away two of their best-ever players for Kris Humphries, Keith Bogans and some draft picks.

Alas, it is time to look at five story llines to come out of draft night.

#1 – Cleveland selects … Anthony Bennett!

It’s fair to say that no one expected the forward from UNLV to be drafted No. 1. Not only do the Cleveland Cavaliers already have a power forward in Tristan Thompson, but all indications were that the Cavs wanted a center. However, Bennett is a very good player with a lot of upside. Whether he will live up to the pressure of being a No. 1 pick is another matter.

Jrue Holiday is now a Pelican.

Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com

#2 – 76ers trade All-Star point guard

In perhaps the most shocking move of the night, the Philadelphia 76ers moved All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday and a 2013 second-round pick to the New Orleans Pelicans for Nerlens Noel and a 2014 first-rounder. Jrue Holiday is coming off the back of a 19-8 year. He is 23. The world is at his feet. It seems the Sixers really are going to try and accumulate as many ping pong balls as possible.

Charlotte had the chance to grab a potential future All-Star, instead took Cody Zeller. (Photo by Ashleigh Lee/Flickr.com)

#3 – Bobcats pass on McLemore and Noel

Many — including me — felt sorry for the Charlotte Bobcats that they once again faltered to secure the draft position their poor season deserved. However, at No. 4, they had the chance to take one of the two guys in the draft with the most upside. Instead, they went for Cody Zeller. You can see from the fans reaction that this was a strange, bland pick.

#4 – David Stern bows out as commissioner 

After 30 years as commissioner of the NBA, David Stern completed one of his final duties: the 2013 NBA Draft. Greeted by boos every time he took to the stage, Stern thrived on it, playing to the crowd. Hakeem Olajuwon also joined Stern on stage — he was the first player David Stern ever introduced to the NBA during the 1984 draft.

Who would have thought Paul Pierce would have been a story line on draft night?

Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com

#5 – Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett will be heading to the Nets

This post should be about the draft right? Well, a massive bombshell erupted in the NBA universe last night; potentially the biggest story line to come from draft night. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett — two of the greatest Celtics ever — will be departing for Brooklyn. That’s right, Paul Pierce, for the first time in his career, will be suiting up in a uniform that does not have any green on it. Way to steal the attention away from the draft prospects.