Orlando Magic Daily
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Last six sixth overall picks should give Orlando Magic hope for NBA Draft

By S.W. Guest

Feb 15, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) is fouled by North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) is fouled by North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Wizards
Jan 14, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) shoots over Washington Wizards forward Andrew Nicholson (44) during the second quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan -USA TODAY Sports /

2013 -– Nerlens Noel (New Orleans Pelicans)

Things have not really gone to plan for Nerlens Noel since he was projected to go first overall out of the Kentucky Wildcats in 2013.

After tearing the ACL in his left knee in February of that year, he soon started slipping down mock drafts the world over and was eventually taken sixth overall by the New Orleans Pelicans. His rights were then swiftly traded to the ailing Philadelphia 76ers. But he missed the entire 2014 campaign while recovering from knee surgery.

Noel eventually made his NBA debut in October 2014. He then averaged 10.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in 28.3 minutes per game in the course of his 171-game period in Philly.

Inspired in part by his injury woes and, more significantly perhaps, by his frustration at being part of a crowded front court that also featured superstar-in-the-making Joel Embid and former number two overall pick Jahlil Okafor, Noel was traded to the Dallas Mavericks at the deadline this year.

He subsequently averaged 8.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in limited minutes (22 per game) as the Mavericks wound down their less-than-successful season.

Thanks to his defensive talents, Noel still has plenty of upside. He could be an excellent fit alongside Mark Cuban’s big free agent signing from last summer, Harrison Barnes.

Put simply, Noel could go on to have a great career. Although it seems unlikely that any of the teams that passed on him with picks 1-5 (the Magic included) will ever regret doing so given his ongoing health concerns.