The NBA Finals is on but the other teams are also busy negotiating for their future. The Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers are no exceptions.
While there is a lot of buzz about possibilities and speculations that may or may not actually be happening behind the scenes, one report confirms actual talks between the Hawks and Sixers. This was confirmed by Shams Caramia of The Veritcal.
"Atlanta and Philadelphia are discussing a possible trade centered on Hawks guard Jeff Teague and 76ers center Nerlens Noel, league sources told The Vertical."
The Philadelphia 76ers already have a wealth of assets at the frontline as they sought to accumulate the top players in their draft position regardless of fit. This resulted in Philly having three centers the past three drafts in Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor.
What the Sixers are looking for is a veteran point guard to run the team and with the stiff competition in free agency, the only sure way to get a top class skipper is through trades.
Teague has been in the league for seven seasons and made his first all Star game in 2015 as the Hawks sent four players to the mid-season spectacle. This season, the Hawks were not as impressive and Teague posted fair numbers of 15.7 points, 5.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 79 appearances.
Meanwhile, Noel has been the less important center in his twin tower combination with Jahlil Okafor as he only averaged 11 points. However, he was still able to gain reputation as a defensive big man with 8 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots.
According to a report from Keith Pompey of Philly.com, the Sixers could include Nik Stauskas and Robert Covington in the deal.
"Sixers shooting guard Nik Stauskas and/or small forward Robert Covington could be included in the deal, according to a source."
It should be recalled that the Sixers went hard after the Hawks younger point guard Dennis Schroder with a package centered on point guard Ish Smith and late first round picks but the Hawks didn't bite, especially since they seem to be building up Schroder as their point guard of the future.
Now, the Sixers are dangling Noel not just to the Hawks but to "at least 15 teams," as Pompey's report said.