National Basketball Association

NBA Trade Rumors: Five Teams Who Should Trade For Nerlens Noel

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:08 a.m. ET

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Apr 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca (42) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Trade Rumors: With the desire to move Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel still alive, we explore five potential deals the Philadelphia 76ers should explore

After flirting with the idea for what feels like the entire offseason, it appears that the Philadelphia 76ers are growing closer and closer to moving one of their talented big men. And not Joel Embiid.

In a report by Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Philadelphia 76ers appear to be pretty set on trading Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel. Perhaps both. At the very least, one will be moved. And probably sooner rather than later.

[via Yahoo]

The Sixers have had periodic trade talks this summer involving Noel and Okafor and plan eventually to move one of them, league sources said. Philadelphia doesn’t believe the two players’ talents are complementary.

With the expectation that Embiid will be healthy by the start of the season, it does makes sense for Philly to at the very least weigh its options, which they probably have been doing during the last couple of months.

Question is, who will they move: Okafor or Noel? While Okafor is younger and has posted better numbers through one year in the NBA, Noel is probably the player that offers the most value right now on the open market.

With that in mind, we look at five teams who should try to trade for Nerlens Noel and what those deals could look like.

Apr 24, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) dunks the ball during the second half in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics Get: Nerlens Noel

Philadelphia 76ers Get: Marcus Smart

The trade that makes the most sense for me, would be the Boston Celtics trading Marcus Smart to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Nerlens Noel. If this is the route the Sixers take, and want to move Noel, moving him for a point guard project would make sense.

And the Celtics have been flirting with this idea all summer. Let’s just get them in a room and get it over already.

Noel would be a nice defensive fit on the Celtics, and could move Al Horford back to his original power forward position. Noel would provide Boston with the rim protection that it lacks and makes this team more athletic from the jump. Mostly, if the Celtics really believe in Isaiah Thomas, this move wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) dribbles the ball in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Nuggets Get: Nerlens Noel

Philadelphia 76ers Get: Will Barton

In this hypothetical trade, the Denver Nuggets could send away Kenneth Faried to a third team, and bring back Nerlens Noel. The Philadelphia 76ers would get Will Barton, who is a nice young wing that emerged to the NBA scene a year ago.

Barton could play the 2 or 3, and would slide into the starting lineup in Philadelphia from opening tip. Noel would fit right into the “Faried” role with the Nuggets. He’ll bring energy, defense and the occasional offensive output.

On the surface, this seems like a good trade all around. Denver might have to send a pick in the direction of the Nuggets, though, especially with the step that Barton took a year ago.

Mar 4, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Portland Trail Blazers forward Noah Vonleh (21) drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Trail Blazers 117-115. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Portland Trail Blazers Get: Nerlens Noel

Philadelphia 76ers Get: Noah Vonleh, Shabazz Napier, First-Round Pick(s)

After surprising the NBA last season, the Portland Trail Blazers are now primed to take a next step. Perhaps one that could see them make a run to the Conference Finals. Though, if that’s going to happen, they need to make some serious progress on the defensive end.

While signing Festus Ezeli could be a nice first step in that direction, I think adding a player like Nerlens Noel, who’s still elevating his game, could do wonders for this young team. Even though the Blazers don’t have a backcourt prospect to send to Philly in exchange, they do have other pieces and picks that could swap Philly.

Noah Vonleh is an intriguing prospect to watch, and could be beneficial to play with a team that is still trying to find its feet vs playing on a team that’s ready to transform into a contender.

May 9, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (24) dunks the ball as Miami Heat forward Josh McRoberts (4) trails during the second quarter in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Raptors Get: Nerlens Noel

Philadelphia 76ers Get: Delon Wright, Norman Powell

After losing Bismack Biyombo in free agency, there’s no question that the Toronto Raptors will be left with a void on their frontline. The need of a defensive big, who could jolt the team with energy on any given night is really a must.

That’s where trading for Nerlens Noel could come in handy. In this hypothetical deal, the Sixers would get point guard prospect Delon Wright, who just hasn’t been able to carve out a role on the Raptors and Norman Powell, an extremely promising two-guard.

In order for Toronto to get something of value, they’d have to deal Powell. The Raptors would get their quality big, and the Sixers would get two really good backcourt prospects – perhaps one that would be ready to start from opening tip.

May 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) runs back down court after hitting a three-pointer against the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter in game five of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Cavaliers Get: Nerlens Noel, First-Round Pick

Philadelphia 76ers Get: Kevin Love

If we’re really going to get wacky, why not get the Cleveland Cavaliers involved. After all, they need to prepare for the epic battle that they’re expected to be in for when they meet up with the Golden State Warriors in a third straight NBA Finals.

What better way to prepare for that matchup than to stock up on defenders? If the Cavs are going to beat the Warriors ,they’re going to have to bother them, beat them up and protect the rim.

Nerelens Noel could fit into what the Cavs want to do.

The Sixers would get Kevin Love, who actually would be the ideal fit next to a center like Joel Embiid, assuming he’s healthy. This is a move that probably won’t happen, but it would be fun if it did.