Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel. (Photo : Getty Images)
Recent rumors have emerged that the Toronto Raptors could offer their ninth overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for center Nerlens Noel as the Canadian squad prepares for a Bismack Biyombo exit in free-agency.
Chat Sports published a list of potential trades that could happen before the 2016 NBA Draft next week and one of the most interesting is the predicted scenario of Toronto giving up the no. 9 selection to the Sixers, who are speculated to be interested in having another top ten pick, in exchange for top young big man Noel.
The report said that "Toronto will likely lose Bismack Biyombo in free agency this summer, and Noel is a premier shot-blocker who can come in and fill a similar role".
Previous reports are out that Biyombo is set to receive near-max offers from interested teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and Chicago Bulls after the 23-year-old's impressive performance in the playoffs this season. Some accounts even say that the Lakers could give him over $20 million a year and that is something that the Raptors would not be able to match at this stage of the franchise.
Seemingly acknowledging Biyombo's future, Toronto is suggested to pursue Noel, who plays similarly with the Congolese and would cost lesser than his teammate Jahlil Okafor as rumors abound that both players are being shopped around by Philly before the draft.
The Sixers are allegedly looking for another high pick because they are targeting Kentucky's Jamal Murray or Providence's Kris Dunn. After their top pick, the next time they will be on the clock is at 24th and by that time, it is highly probable that both applicants are already gone.
However, CBS Sports noted that while Noel and Okafor are on the trading block at the moment, only one of them will be let go by the Sixers' camp and that would more likely be Okafor.
While the latter is the better offensive player and the heftier big man who can command more space inside the shaded lane, Okafor is said to be "expendable for the Sixers" as Joel Embiid is set to finally play in the NBA next season.
It remains to be seen whether the Raptors would accept a deal involving Okafor rather than Noel as the 2013 sixth overall pick complements more with their current roster.
