The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Anthony Bennett with the first pick in the NBA Draft, solidifying their post presence to match the Kyrie Irving/Dion Waiters backcourt. They passed on the big men Alex Len and Nerlens Noel, whom the Cavaliers were expected to pick.
That was not the biggest surprise of the night. Not by far.
The Pelicans acquired All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday from the 76ers for the draft rights to Nerlens Noel and a protected 2014 draft pick. The move seemed to come so far out of left field and completely change the fabric of the two organizations. What its exact ramifications are may not be fully realized for some time.
Then came the real shocker.
It was reported in the middle of the Draft that Kevin Garnett would agree to waive his no-trade clause, freeing the Celtics up to trade Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry to the Nets for a package that will include three first round picks and Gerald Wallace. If Brooklyn, the Draft's host, wanted to stay relevant, the organization certainly accomplished that.
The NBA Draft did not disappoint anyone if they were looking for trades big and small. The surprises did not seem to end with Draft prospects sliding down in the Draft in unexpected ways.
The top five was Bennett going to the Cavaliers, Victor Oladipo going to the Magic, Otto Porter going to the Wizards, Cody Zeller going to the Bobcats and Alex Len going to the Suns. Ben McLemore, considered by some as the top prospect in the Draft, fell to the Kings at No. 7.
