Halo

The New Orleans Pelicans took Nerlens Noel with the No. 6 overall pick in 2013, but he didn't last long. New Orleans immediately turned around and traded Noel to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Jrue Holiday, which cemented the club's backcourt for the foreseeable future.

Noel has yet to play a game for the Sixers after spending the season recovering from surgery, so the jury officially remains out as to whether he's a legitimate lottery pick.

But we can pass judgment on the rest of New Orleans' most recent picks. Since 2000, the organization has made some good ones.

The trick has been actually keeping them around.

Recall that the franchise—then the Hornets—relocated to New Orleans in 2002. That never translated into the new era it could have become, at least not yet. Blame the free-agent process. Blame superstar mentalities.

Just don't blame the club's draft record. It has had more hits than misses.

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