Earlier in the week, Joel Embiid lobbied for the team to pair him with Nerlens Noel on the court, arguing that the Sixers need to try all options when it comes to playing time. Coach Brett Brown told reporters that he agrees with Embiid, as Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer passes along (video link on Twitter). “We have these three bigs. We need to experiment. We need to try different things.” Brown said “It’s on Nerlens to get himself back in shape and learn what we’re actually running. It’ll be on [the three centers] to find ways to coexist and me to manage it.” Brown added that he looks forward to seeing the Noel-Embiid pairing among other combinations.
Here’s more from Philadelphia:
[RELATED: Trade Candidate: Nerlens Noel]
- The coach added that the Sixers are going through “one of the most challenging times” since he’s joined the organization, Pompey relays in a separate tweet.
- The Sixers‘ easiest path to clearing up their frontcourt logjam is to trade Noel, but the team shouldn’t make a move just for the sake of opening up minutes for its other big men, Ben Detrick of The Ringer contends. If Philadelphia does deal Noel, Detrick believes Minnesota would be the best fit. The Wolves could put together a package that includes either Ricky Rubio or Tyus Jones along with a protected first-round pick in exchange for the 2013 No. 6 overall pick.
- The Sixers should have traded Jahlil Okafor at the last year’s deadline, Detrick opines in the same piece. The scribe argues that the center’s trade value is hard to gauge now, but he believes the 21-year-old can still be a foundation piece for another team.
- The Ersan Ilyasova-Embiid pairing is the team’s best option, Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Inquirer contends. Ilyasova is a good 3-point shooter for his position and his presence on the floor opens up the paint for Embiid. The power forward is a free agent at the end of the season, though the Sixers will have plenty of cap space to re-sign him if they choose to do so.
Rubio at 26 is already in decline. Tyus Jones is not a special player. Markelle Fultz on the other hand… If the Sixers don’t land the top spot again, I’m sure they’ll be willing to trade the Laker’s pick to go up and get Fultz.
The plethora of PGs in this draft means Sixers need a 2 or a 3. Jae Crowder. Ian Clark. Justin Anderson. Will Barton. Allen Crabbe. Picks & what not aside, those should be players involved in a Noel trade.
I haven’t read Detricks article yet, but I like that idea. If the sixers trade for Jones, who is better than Z-A is assuming, along with a future first, they would have a very solid backup pg who is capable of starting. That doesn’t sound like much but what do you really expect for an injury prone player with a bad attitude and a team that has zero leverage in the matter?
Ps. Rubio isn’t in decline. He’s still learning Thibs’ system. Have you seen his last few games? Or even watched him play, ever?
Rubio is an awful fit for the Sixers!! Guards back-off Rubio worse than they do Rondo..The Sixers need to target a PG that can not only penetrate, but one that is also a threat from deep to open up some spacing for the Sixers’ bigs…
The Sixers goal should be to acquire players that will help in floor spacing, and Rubio is NOT that player.
Going after a 3 and D player is what the team needs. Ricky Rubio poor shooting ability won’t help spread the floor for the talented big men. Crabbe is the player to go for but at this point i would settle for a unprotected pick. Maybe Okafor to Dallas?