Nick Young (Photo : Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers could look to trade Nick Young to the Philadelphia 76ers for Nerlens Noel.
The Lakers have yet to find a suitable trade partner for Nick Young, who has been rumored as the odd man out in LA this offseason, according to Mike Bresnahan of The Los Angeles Times.
With the Lakers seemingly ready to go all-in with their core of young talents heading into the next season, there is certainly a possibility they trade Young for a valuable piece that may address some of LA's needs. One possible trade destination for Young could be the 76ers, who have been adamant about addressing their own roster issues.
The 76ers are probably the team most likely to make a deal in the offseason. Their frontcourt logjam is evident, with Dario Saric finally joining Philly and Joel Embiid returning from injury.
Jahlil Okafor, the 76ers' other tradable asset, has been touted as the expendable piece over Noel, but that may have changed now after Ben Simmons opened about his established chemistry with Okafor and Embiid.
"I've known them [Embiid and Okafor] since 10th grade so we have had that chemistry for a while," Simmons said. "As soon as we hit the court, hopefully it is the same. I am looking forward to playing with them."
It remains to be seen whether the Lakers and Sixers really intend to trade their assets, but they seem to make a perfect match for an offseason deal.
Despite acquiring Timofey Mozgov on a multi-million deal and the potential of Ivica Zubac to become a bona fide center in the league, the Lakers could still consider acquiring an athletic big man who can run and protect the rim.
Playing alongside Simmons would have boost Noel's production in Philadelphia, although with a loaded frontcourt, he would probably end up as the team's third option scoring in the paint.
With the Lakers, Noel would surely get significant minutes and touches down low, especially with D'Angelo Russell finally showing the potential in becoming an elite playmaker.
On the other hand, the 76ers appear to appoint Simmons as the team's top playmaker, and there is no better way to fully utilize the Australian phenom's talents than surrounding him with shooters.
Young only played 54 games with the Lakers last season, averaging 7.3 points on a mere 19.1 minutes a game. He also struggled to shoot the ball 33.9 percent from the field and 32.5 from beyond the arc. But Young is still a capable scorer and can shoot on and off the dribble.
ESPN's trade machine approved a straight swap of Young for Noel, although the Lakers and Sixers may include other pieces if such deal materializes.
However, the Lakers may be in no rush trading Young away despite the buzz surrounding the 31-year-old guard-forward. But if Noel comes up available, it won't be surprising to see LA quickly throw Young's name in any potential package.
