The Philadelphia 76ers are in a position where they possess very little leverage. Everyone and their mother knows the Sixers want to move a big man in order to avoid a logjam that further curtails development.
My personal ranking for the Sixers’ three centers is as follows: Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor. Of course (spoiler alert), my last name is not Colangelo, nor am I working in the front office for one of the other 29 NBA franchises.
If I’m building the 76ers from scratch, Embiid’s superstar potential is worth the known injury risks, and Noel is an optimal insurance policy. I’d sooner keep Noel than Okafor because I think the former Kentucky Wildcat boasts more of the bare necessities for achieving both individual and team success in the modern NBA, but it’s entirely possible that the majority of GM’s would balk at this suggestion.
Regardless, most teams aren’t painting on a blank canvas, so we must consider the context and needs of each team around the league. Assuming that Embiid is *essentially* off limits, here’s a look at some likely and unlikely trade scenarios involving Noel and Okafor.
DEFENSE—Nerlens Noel
Los Angeles Lakers
D’Angelo Russell for Nerlens Noel
Okafor and Julius Randle would presumably be a cringe-worthy defensive pairing, but Noel would fit nicely with L.A.’s young core no matter whom they land on draft-day. The problem of course is how to pry Noel away from Philadelphia without surrendering the second selection.
Well, let’s suppose for sake of argument that the Sixers decide on Ingram at no. 1 overall. The Lakers go home happy regardless, but adding Simmons convinces L.A. to offer D’Angelo Russell to the Sixers in exchange for Noel. This might make some sense since Simmons is already a better distributor than Russell and both may need the ball in their hands a lot in order to maximize their effectiveness. It’s no secret that the 76ers are in dire need of help at point guard, and Russell’s potential would likely be enough for Philly to part ways with Noel. Nonetheless, both sides could feel compelled to ask for more in the deal, which is where the conversation could ultimately end. There’s a 500-pound elephant in the room, i.e. the 76ers owning the Lakers’ first-rounder next summer (top-3 protected, unprotected in 2018), and L.A. might stubbornly seek that as well given Philly’s lack of leverage.
Toronto Raptors
Norman Powell, Delon Wright, Bruno Cabocolo, No. 9 and 27 overall picks for Nerlens Noel
Bismack Biyombo is about to get big-time offers, so his time in Toronto might be finished. Meanwhile, Jonas Valanciunas is still less than reliable on defense despite his 7-0 frame and tenacity as a rebounder, and he also finds himself in foul trouble fairly often. There’s no denying Noel and Valanciunas could be the best 1-2 punch in the league at center, each providing precisely what the other lacks.
Powell would immediately be worthy of a starting spot in Philly’s lineup as a 3-and-D shooting guard. Wright could be decent down the line, Cabocolo is still young, and those two first-rounders could yield some fruit. No. 9 picks since the lottery began include Andre Drummond, Kemba Walker, Gordon Hayward, DeMar DeRozan, Joakim Noah, Andre Iguodala, Amar’e Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki, Tracy McGrady, and Dale Ellis. Not a bad lot of talent if I do say so myself. This deal might be a stretch, but the Raptors have plenty of assets to offer if former GM Bryan Colangelo comes calling on draft day.
Milwaukee Bucks
No. 10 overall pick, 2018 first-round pick, Rashad Vaughn, and Tyler Ennis for Nerlens Noel
Vaughn is a guard with tangible potential, Ennis has yet to receive much of an opportunity in Milwaukee, and the 10th pick has been nothing to sneeze at through the NBA’s lottery history (Justice Winslow, C.J. McCollum, Paul George, Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Eddie Jones, Horace Grant, Johnny Dawkins, and Jason Terry).
It’s doubtful that the Bucks would be interested in Okafor given that they’d probably prefer to take a mulligan on signing Greg Monroe, but Noel would be a terror alongside Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jabari Parker. With that being said, this is but a dream for Bucks fans.
Orlando Magic
Mario Hezonja, Shabazz Napier and no. 11 overall pick for Nerlens Noel
Myles Turner will easily be one of the best players from last year’s draft and he slipped to no. 11. So did Klay Thompson, J.J. Redick, Allan Houston, Robert Horry, Reggie Miller, Derek Harper, Fat Lever, Kevin Willis, and Kiki Vandeweghe.
Noel and Vucevic would make for a dominant duo at center, with the former Wildcat providing the rim protection Orlando is currently missing. Hezonja could have a heck of a career in the league and might be a brilliant fit in Philly.
Portland Trail Blazers
C.J. McCollum for Nerlens Noel
C.J. McCollum won Most Improved Player and the Portland Trail Blazers won two games against a banged-up Golden State Warriors team, but I’m still not sold on the long-term stability of McCollum being paired with Damian Lillard when neither possesses the length to survive defensively, where their shortcomings are amplified by one another. Meanwhile, if the 76ers draft Ben Simmons they can certainly afford to run the rookie as point forward while McCollum covers opposing point guards on defense. Noel would provide Portland with a much-needed presence on defense as a rim protector, and he would always be a threat as the diver in the spread pick-and-roll with Lillard dropping dimes. Lillard breaking out in his first season without LaMarcus Aldridge demanding dozens of post-ups makes Okafor an especially unlikely trade target for the Trail Blazers, plus Dame isn’t exactly applauded for his defense either.
Dallas Mavericks
Justin Anderson, Jeremy Evans, Salah Mejri, 2018 first-round pick for Nerlens Noel
Mejri and Anderson both have legit potential to be solid role players and Evans is a wiry four who doesn’t necessarily need to be kept around for long if he doesn’t pan out. Unless the Mavericks strike out in free agency this summer and struggle next season, the pick might not be so great, and that probably isn’t enough of a package to entice Philly to part with Noel even if the trade market is cold. Dallas and Dirk Nowitzki need an elite rim protector to contend for a title before he retires, but signing Dwight Howard in free agency is much more likely than acquiring Noel via trade.
Denver Nuggets
Gary Harris, Jakarr Sampson, no. 7, 15, 19 overall picks for Nerlens Noel, no. 24, 26 overall picks
Harris is an intriguing player, the Philly faithful loves JaKarr (who was unjustly taken from them), and that’s a pretty hefty load of draft picks. I’m not saying that Noel is or isn’t worth such a large haul, but the Nuggets do already have Nikola Jokic, Jusuf Nurkic, and Joffrey Lauvergne. Still, it’s possible only one of those three pans out. Denver definitely needs defense, and it wouldn’t make sense to pair a post-oriented center such as Okafor with a non-shooting point guard like Emmanuel Mudiay.
Miami Heat
Josh Richardson and Justice Winslow for Nerlens Noel and no. 24 overall pick
Maybe Pat Riley would have interest in trading for Noel if he wants to let Hassan Whiteside walk—especially given that Chris Bosh’s health is a serious concern. However, it might cost rookie revelations Justice Winslow and Josh Richardson, leaving the Heat short on depth for a player whom Riley would have to pay two years sooner than the aforementioned prized rookies. There’s also the question of whether the court would continue to be shrunk on offense if Bosh is forced to retire, as Miami struggled to score for most of the 2016 playoffs. Building a team around two guards (Goran Dragic and Dwyane Wade) who don’t make many threes shrinks the court unless your center sinks shots like Bosh, which few do. However, Noel is one of the few players who could help improve the Heat’s team defense if Whiteside signs elsewhere.
The 76ers on the other hand would add two versatile defenders capable of excelling at multiple positions, both of whom made names for themselves in the NBA with inspiring postseason performances. Since Riley would begrudgingly give up two for one in this scenario, he’d demand the no. 24 pick (which was Miami’s) as well in return.
OFFENSE–Jahlil Okafor
Memphis Grizzlies
Jordan Adams, Vince Carter, No. 17 overall pick, and the Clippers’ 2019 first-round pick for Jahlil Okafor
The Grizzlies could use another center besides Marc Gasol, and the idea of Okafor learning from and backing up the Spaniard is enticing to say the least. The Grit-N-Grind atmosphere might also be just the jolt Jahlil needs to maximize his potential. There’s no lollygagging when Gasol, Z-Bo, The Grindfather, and Mike Conley (if the Spurs don’t somehow steal him away) are in charge.
The problem is that Memphis’ best offer might be a package consisting of third-year wing Jordan Adams, the no. 17 overall pick in this year’s draft, Vince Carter (who has a non-guaranteed contract), and the Clippers’ 2019 first-rounder.
The former UCLA Bruin has barely played since being drafted due in part to former coach Dave Joerger’s disposition for playing youngsters, but also because Adams suffered his fair share of injuries. Adams appeared in just two games this season after playing 30 as a rookie. His 38.5 percent three-point percentage (10-25) in year one was better than anyone for the Sixers this year (if we discount Carl Landry and Nerlens Noel, who combined for seven makes from beyond the arc). Hollis Thompson (38 percent), Isaiah Canaan (36.3 percent), and Robert Covington (35.3 percent) shot the ball well from three, but the 76ers severely lack outside shooting (which is certainly part of what made things so difficult for Okafor). Adams has at least as much upside as Nik Stauskas, who shot a paltry 38.5 percent from the field and 32.6 percent from three-point land in his first season with the Sixers.
Philly could also find itself in position to nab a point guard with reasonable upside at no. 17, perhaps Wade Baldwin IV. However, this is most likely a deal that the 76ers would quickly turn down.
OFFENSE/DEFENSE–Nerlens Noel OR Jahlil Okafor
Boston Celtics
No. 3, 16, 23 overall picks for Okafor OR Noel and no. 26 overall pick
In Daniel Coughlin’s piece addressing what the Celtics should do with the no. 3 overall pick, he argues that Boston would be better off gambling on Dragan Bender than trading for Okafor. I tend to agree. Whether you think Okafor would be the third best prospect in this draft or not, the Celtics-76ers rumor is one that won’t go away over the next three weeks leading up to the NBA Draft.
The idea here is that the Celtics possess enough length and defense along the perimeter to make up for Okafor’s shortcomings on defense, but I’m not sure if that holds water when the team’s best player is only inches taller than the fellow lefty writing this article. Danny Ainge stated (in so many words) that he had an arrangement lined up at the February trade deadline, but it’s entirely possible that he was merely bluffing. If Ainge does have interest in swapping for Okafor or Noel, he certainly has enough draft picks to satisfy the Sixers.
New Orleans Pelicans
No. 6 overall pick and short cheap contracts for Okafor OR Noel
The Pelicans are desperate to find a serviceable center, as Anthony Davis made it clear he prefers to play the four. As it stands, Alexis Ajinca and Omer Asik equates to a sad duo down low. Personally, I think New Orleans’ already shaky defense would struggle even more so with Okafor, who doesn’t fit Alvin Gentry’s offense. Still, solving the problem of who plays next to Davis could push the Pels to act. Noel-Davis-Holiday could be the best defensive trio in basketball, but at the end of the day I’d be very surprised if something like this comes to fruition.
Chicago Bulls
Taj Gibson, no. 14 pick, 2018 first-rounder for Kendall Marshall and Okafor OR Noel
Gibson would provide a veteran presence at the four who can help lead this young group for at least the short term, and the two first-rounders could become something down the line. Chicago continues to be thrown around as a potential landing spot given that Okafor grew up there, and they’d be wise to move on from Pau Gasol and Joakin Noah. However, any rumor involving Jimmy Butler is balderdash as far as I’m concerned.
Charlotte Hornets
Cody Zeller, Jeremy Lamb, No. 22 overall pick, 2018 first-round pick for Okafor OR Noel
Zeller has enough range to manage as a part-time four, Jeremy Lamb had his most effective NBA season (despite falling out of the rotation by playoff-time), and two picks are two picks. Charlotte’s Al Jefferson might be on his way out this summer, and Okafor could be the second coming of Big Al. If His Airness re-sign Nic Batum and Courtney Lee, coach Steve Clifford’s defensive schemes plus a healthy Michael Kidd-Gilchrist would stand a chance at hiding Okafor’s defensive ineptitude better than most supporting casts. Noel would also be an excellent fit, and both Sixer bigs would be much cheaper options (at least in 2016-17) than chasing Dwight Howard, Hassan Whiteside, or former Hornet Bismack Biyombo in free agency.
Why Your Favorite Team That’s Not Listed Above Probably Isn’t Trading for Noel or Okafor
Cleveland Cavaliers—LeBron James might sign off on a roster shakeup if the Cavs get smoked in the NBA Finals, but for now Kevin getting dealt to the City of Brotherly Love isn’t worth exploring too deeply.
Detroit Pistons—Andre Drummond.
Indiana Pacers—Myles Turner.
New York Knicks—Kristaps Porzingis and Robin Lopez.
Brooklyn Nets—The Nets already sold their soul to the Celtics.
Washington Wizards—Not sure what the Wizards could realistically offer, but they could certainly use Noel’s defense. Okafor seems like a rather unideal fit next to John Wall.
Atlanta Hawks—Yahoo Sports reported last night that a Jeff Teague-Noel deal has been discussed but is not imminent. I don’t see the Sixers trading its Embiid insurance for a mediocre starting point guard who will be seeking near-max money as an unrestricted free agent next summer. If the 76ers like Teague so much, they can chase him in July of 2017. Maybe I’m underrating Teague or overvaluing Noel, but imagine the Hawks’ frontcourt depth and versatility if Teague-Noel happened and Al Horford re-signed to join Noel and Paul Millsap. Scary thought.
Houston Rockets—Okafor would be a disastrous fit alongside James Harden in Mike D’Antoni’s offense. Besides future draft picks and Patrick Beverley, I’m not sure what could entice Philly into sending Noel to the Rockets. Also, if Dwight Howard bolts this summer, Clint Capela seems ready to assume the starting throne.
San Antonio Spurs—LaMarcus Aldridge and Boban Marjanovic are the future of the center position in Spurs-land.
Oklahoma City Thunder—The Thunder already have three capable centers in Serge Ibaka, Steven Adams and Enes Kanter, and I don’t see what they’d have to offer even if they did want Noel or Okafor.
Utah Jazz—The Jazz have more skilled big men than they know what to do with in Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors, and Trey Lyles.
Phoenix Suns—After signing Tyson Chandler to the most bloated contract of 2015, I doubt the Suns are willing to trade any assets in order to provide Alex Len more competition for minutes. They should probably be in the market for a forward at the draft.
Los Angeles Clippers—DeAndre Jordan.
Sacramento Kings—The Sixers fleeced Sacramento so recently, and unless the Kings have a deal lined up for DeMarcus Cousins, even Vlade Divac isn’t crazy enough to add a third center. Sacramento just selected Willie-Cauley Stein in last year’s draft, and they don’t really have much in terms of assets apart from their no. 8 pick and the Boogie-man himself.
Golden State Warriors—Golden State would happily welcome Noel to the Bay as Andrew Bogut’s successor, but management wouldn’t be willing to put together a package that competes with other offers from around the league.
Minnesota Timberwolves—KAT.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
