Nerlens Noel is one of the NBA’s top trade candidates, but it seems the Sixers won’t be showcasing him for potential suitors in the immediate future. Earlier today, head coach Brett Brown told reporters, including Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, that he doesn’t expect to use Noel in tonight’s game against Brooklyn unless someone gets into foul trouble, and will likely keep him out of the rotation for the foreseeable future.
According to Brown, the decision wasn’t a direct reaction to Noel’s comments after Friday’s game. The fourth-year big man – frustrated by playing just eight minutes in the first game all season in which he, Joel Embiid, and Jahlil Okafor were all healthy – suggested the Sixers “need to figure this s–t out.” Although the updated rotation may not be punishment for those comments, it seems Brown took Noel’s suggestion to heart, attempting to figure out a way to put the team in the best position to win (Twitter link via Christopher A. Vito).
The situation in Philadelphia will likely remain fluid. If either Embiid or Okafor is forced to miss time with an injury, or Embiid is rested for a night, Noel figures to get a chance to play. Still, it’s somewhat surprising that the Sixers wouldn’t find a way to get the former sixth overall pick regular minutes. Based on Noel’s apparent unhappiness and his looming free agency, he seems very likely to be moved by February’s trade deadline, and keeping him on the bench certainly won’t improve his trade value.
While the move may hurt Noel, it could have a positive impact on Embiid, the Sixers’ franchise center. The third-year big man hasn’t thrived playing alongside Okafor so far, suggesting after Wednesday’s game that he didn’t love “standing on the perimeter” when the two bigs were on the court together. Keeping Noel out of the rotation should reduce the amount of time Embiid and Okafor share the floor.
For his part, Noel said tonight that he’ll handle the decision like a pro and will continue to work on his game, adding that “everyone knew it was going to come to this” (Twitter link via Bob Cooney of The Philadelphia Daily News).
I am beginning to think he is turning into another Boogie Cousins
Lol. You wish he’s ever as good as Boogie. Fwiw I’d take either of those “headcases” on my team
Noel to da Bulls for Mirotic! Make it happen Gar/Pax
Just dump that over rated Mirotic. He sucks
Celtics and Denver could use a rim protector like Noel.
I think there’s a lot of teams that could use a guy like that. Even the Chamos could use him.
” The Process” is nothing but BS and I’m a Sixer fan ( I know….we still exist?! Wow) . The tanking has been extremely difficult to put up with and now it’s beginning to blow up in our face. Typical Philly karma kicking us in the A**!! There was never a “plan.” It became a “get the best player in the draft” and that is no plan. Ben Simmons will be nice to see but who does he have to pass the ball to. Nobody…… I mean NOBODY can shoot on this freaking team. Simmons is no different, so they say. Deal Noel and 1st rounder and get a guy that can fill it up from outside. Embiid has no one to kick it back out to. Can’t take this anymore!!!
Keep blaming the process, but Colangelo went into this year with 3 bigs. It’s on him, and he has to do something now and everyone knows it.
Ian Clark just scored 23 off the bench for the Warriors. Want to swap him and looney for noel lol
Patrick McCaw and Kevon Looney. Keep McCaw, move Looney to another squad for a future pick. Golden State made a shrewd move by paying $2M for the rights to McCaw. Now they can reap the reward by trading him for Noel. Even though they can’t keep Nerlens after this year, they get closer to being a lock for the CHIP for the price of a second round pick. Ben Simmons and Patrick McCaw and Robert Covington complement Joel Embiid very well. Then trade Jahlil Okafor for a first round pick to get Edrice Bam Bam Adebayo.
If you can’t act like a pro when a mic is put in front of your face, then why should they play you? Embiid > Noel. Okafor > Noel. Injured Simmons > Noel. Figure out how to show up on time, and act like a pro. He’s lining himself up for a 1 year deal with his injuries and attitude. I don’t see a team offering him huge money.
Okafor is basically just as bad/good as Noel. Yeah, Noel doesn’t have much offensive game, but he can fit on basically any roster and plays defense. Okafor basically only knows how to score from the post, he doesn’t bring any defense and can’t stretch the floor.
Cry me a river. I love the NBA but when these babies start crying about respect and what’s fair. Go f yourself. Earn your playing time b”‘:h! Stop these h_es crying