No matter how you want to look at the frontcourt logjam in Philadelphia, the Sixers will almost inevitably have to make a move eventually. Today, TNT analyst David Aldridge broke down several scenarios that he thinks could play out involving notably disgruntled big man Nerlens Noel.
In 2013, Noel was drafted by the Pelicans and immediately shipped to Philly in exchange for Jrue Holiday. It was one of then general manager Sam Hinkie’s first big splashes in the executive driver’s seat. A reversal of such a deal, Aldridge posits, could help both teams in 2016. While the Sixers’ need for a point guard is no secret, Noel’s presence as a stopper could take some of the defensive load off of Anthony Davis.
Aldridge also discusses packages that would hypothetically send Noel from the Sixers to the Trail Blazers, Raptors or Thunder.
That’s not all to trickle in from the Atlantic Division today:
- The Celtics could be a top-three team in the Eastern Conference and their solid, come-from-behind showing on Christmas Day served as a perfect reminder of it. According to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, Al Horford‘s contributions both tangible and otherwise, will play a major role in how the rest of the 2016/17 campaign pans out.
- After another disappointing loss at the hands of a plus-.500 opponent, Marc Berman of the New York Post suggests that the Knicks‘ record is hollow. After Sunday’s defeat, New York is just 3-10 against teams sitting .500 or better.
- The Nets are a rebuilding team and veterans like Trevor Booker could be just what the franchise needs to make sure that its young core develops the right way. Zach Lowe of ESPN suggests that Booker’s bully style of play will benefit young assets like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Caris LeVert.
Hate all the trades proposed. Sixers are guaranteed a PG in the 2017 draft. So why trade for one? Trade for a SG with at least an RFA attached.
Trailblazers will need to dump salary this year before the deadline and next year. They’re over the cap 16M this year and 23M next year. Allen Crabbe will have to get traded, along with at least Ed Davis this year.
Something like…
Crabbe, Davis, Ezeli for Noel, Stauskas, Illyasova, and Thompson makes the money work.
Ezeli isn’t non-guarantee next season. Stauskas, Illyasova, and Thompson are expiring contracts. Brings the Blazers to 102 next year, and the ability to retain Noel RFA or Plumlee RFA whichever they like better/can afford versus having no center next season with Ezeli possibly done for his career and still 15M over the cap without his salary.
My SG shopping list: Crabbe, Bradley, Shumpert, Murray, Clark
Love David Aldridge as a reporter. But I would keep Nerlens and let him walk summer ’18 before I made any of those deals.
If the deal isn’t for an up and coming young player, what’s the point? A couple more wins this year? When Ben Simmons appears, the fans will be satisfied watching him and Joel Embiid for the rest of the year.
Then two lottery picks, Furkan Korkmaz from last year, and $50M to spend.
Trade for Shabazz Napier? I’d rather cut Jerryd Bayless, then pick up Briante Weber from the D-League.