National Basketball Association

Trade Proposal: 76ers Nerlens Noel to Raptors for...

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Toronto Raptors don’t have enough big men, and the Philadelphia 76ers have too many. It’s time to make a deal.

I’ve never made a secret of my disdain for Trade Proposals unless they made sense for both teams, and were plausible. Too many times I’ve seen fanboy nonsense (“You know, our GM should trade for LeBron James. Then our team would be good.”) polluting NBA team websites. I pledge, Raptors fans, our Rapture writers will do better by you.

Here’s a deal which helps both the Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers.

The 76ers are out of step with the bulk of the NBA in the manner in which its roster is constructed. Philly has a surfeit of young big men, and no backcourt to speak of. There’s understandable excitement building with talented draftees like Joel Embiid (let’s hope this guy finally shows up to work unimpeded by injury) and this year’s #1, Ben Simmons, but the Colangelos haven’t got a starting point guard. Surely they wouldn’t dare start the season with T.J. McConnell at the reins.

Cory Joseph is exactly the kind of point guard an extremely young squad needs. He cares little about his points, and instead will worry about delivering the ball at the right time to the bevy of kids. He can penetrate the paint effectively, which is essential to running the high pick and roll successfully. That’s a play these mobile and gifted youngsters should be riffing off all night.

What Toronto gains

For the Raptors, the deal solidifies the front court. Noel has already played 2 seasons, yet he’s only 22. He’s a shot-changer/blocker of considerable skill already, and has better hands than Bismack Biyombo. He carries only 228 pounds on his 6’11” frame and should get stronger and less likely to be pushed around within 2 years.

As for Stauskas – who knows? He was touted as the NBA’s next great 3-ball shooter, but we’re still waiting. His career percentage after 2 seasons is 32.5, and that’s nowhere near what Nik (who doesn’t have a lot else to sell) needs to stay on the floor. Whatever: he makes the money work, and might be a pleasant surprise.

The deal works financially, almost dollar for dollar. The Trade Machine says the 76ers “lose” 3 games while the Raptors gain 2. I doubt that very much. The space created by Noel’s departure will quickly and perhaps more effectively be filled by Embiid and Simmons.

The Raptors would be under pressure at the point to begin the season. With Delon Wright on the shelf until at least Christmas, and Joseph gone, the backup to Kyle Lowry would be (gulp) Fred VanVleet. Those fans who think Norman Powell is more than a shooting guard might see their man with the ball in his hands a considerable amount.

Short term pain for long term gain…the Raptors would be stronger for this deal, as would the 76ers.

Do you like it, Rapture Nation?