NBA 2013 Draft Highlights: A Look Back at the Top Picks

It''s been over eight years since the 2013 NBA draft took place, but the memories still linger. The draft was a crucial moment for several teams, particularly the New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies, and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The top pick of the draft belonged to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who selected anthony.html">Anthony Bennett, a Canadian forward from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). However, Bennett''s NBA career was short-lived, lasting only two seasons.html">seasons with the Cavs before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The second overall pick went to the Orlando Magic, who chose Nerlens Noel, a defensive-minded center from Kentucky. Despite showing promise in his early years, Noel has struggled to establish himself as a reliable starter in the league.

The real story of the 2013 draft began with the fourth overall pick, when the Pelicans selected Anthony Davis, a dominant big man from Kentucky. Davis went on to become one of the most consistent and dominant players.html">players in the league, earning multiple All-NBA selections and leading his team to several playoff appearances.

The Grizzlies, picking sixth, chose Mike Dunleavy Jr., a versatile swingman with size and shooting ability. Although he didn''t quite live up to expectations, Dunleavy has had a respectable NBA career, playing for several teams including the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls.

The Timberwolves, selecting ninth, selected Alexey Shved, a Russian guard from Oklahoma State University. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, Shved''s NBA tenure was marked by inconsistency and limited minutes.

As we look back on the 2013 draft, it''s clear that Anthony Davis and Nerlens Noel were the headliners. While Bennett and Shved failed to make a lasting impact, Mike Dunleavy Jr. had a solid if unspectacular career. The real story of this draft, however, lies in the Pelicans'' ability to snag the dominant force that is Anthony Davis.

The 2013 NBA draft serves as a reminder that even the most seemingly insignificant picks can have significant consequences for a team''s future. As we move forward into the next era of basketbal.html">basketball.html">basketball, it will be fascinating to see which players emerge as stars and which teams make the right moves in the draft process.