The Sixers want to evaluate how Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid play together on the court, Jessica Camerato of Comcast Sportsnet relays. Philadelphia started Jahlil Okafor next to Embiid over the last six games, but the team went 1-5 in those contests, which may lead to the duo seeing less action together. “I think over the course of the year, you’re going to see different things,” coach Brett Brown said. “To do it [with Embiid and Okafor] maybe as much as I have done it, I don’t believe that will be the case. But there will be times you’re going to see them paired up just through situations or foul trouble or injury.”
Here’s more from Philadelphia:
- Brown added that his intention is to “force feed” the Noel-Embiid pairing, as Derek Bodner of Philadelphia Magazine passes along (Twitter link). Ersan Ilyasova is starting next to Embiid in tonight’s against the Wolves, but the two centers will see court-time together as well.
- Kurt Helin of NBC Sports believes the Sixers are giving Noel additional playing time so they can showcase him to potential trade partners. Finding a team that is willing to give up major value for the center may be a difficult feat, as Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors detailed in his Trade Candidate piece.
- There remains no timetable for Ben Simmons‘ return to the floor, but the 20-year-old will be more involved going forward, as Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Inquirer relays. “You are going to start seeing him integrated more and more as this New Year is now upon us,” Brown said. “It’s still, obviously, not to the point where he’s on the floor practicing. But nobody should be worried that his foot is not healing.”
I see no point in bringing Ben Simmons back this year. They need the minutes in order to trade players. Noel surprised me last night showing actual effort. Basically him and Jah flip flopped from the Denver game, Jah showed a lack of effort and looked sluggish and Noel looked to have more pep in his step vs the Wolves.
They need to figure out what they want with Noel – trade/keep between now and Feb 23rd. He won’t average big minutes with Simmons and Embiid there so…
3 Games = 10 PT, 3 TRB, .3 BLK in 17.7 MPG
He only was good for 10.5 PT, 8.1 TRB, 1.7 BLK in 30MPG over 2 seasons. So if he only averages 15-20 mins, is he going to be worth 4/64M to this team? As bad as Jah looks this year, his ceiling and floor are much higher than Noel.
As good as Ilyasova is playing, it’s a contract year, he’s putting up a career year, and going to be 30. Trade him.
Can they get some guys stuck in log jams? Jamaal Murray? Tyus Jones? or some picks?
Yeah I’d go the second route and try to acquire the bulls first rounder, a future first, and maybe McDermott for Ilyasova and Noel.
Bulls probably won’t give up a young pure shooter for an old one since they need shooting. If they Sixers are able to get another 1st in the teens I’d want them to target TJ Leaf.
However, if the Sixers can come away in this draft with Markelle Fultz and Malik Monk they’re in great shape.
Both Josh Jackson and Jayson Tatum are poor shooters for wing players
Jah’s ceiling is not higher than Noel’s. Noel has the potential to gain a shot and be an elite rim protector. Jah is horrific defensively and offensively hes a back to the basket player. That type of big man doesn’t have a spot in this league any more.