The LA Lakers still have a roster spot and trade rumors start to intensify about Nerlens Noel. Could there be a connection here.
According to Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders, the LA Lakers is one of three teams with an open roster spot. Even after the Lakers sign rookie Brandon Ingram and Tarik Black, they still have an open spot.
"The Lakers have yet to sign Brandon Ingram and Tarik Black, holding onto a bit of potential cap space should a trade opportunity arise," Pincus wrote.
The Lakers don't seem to be interested in any other free agent left. What they're waiting for are veterans who might get dumped to clear cap space, similar to what the Chicago Bulls did with Jose Calderon when they needed the space to sign Dwyane Wade.
While it's unlikely that any big free agent signings could take place, there are still big names on the trade market namely Rudy Gay and Greg Monroe. A team that could be interested in acquiring them may need to clear salary and the Lakers could find someone interesting.
However, there are is another prospect brewing. According to Liberty Ballers, Nerlens Noel of the Philadelphia 76ers is dropping hints on his Twitter page that he might be traded.
They note that Noel has changed his avatar on his Twitter page as well as his banner, although his bio info still says "Current 76er!"
But Kyle Neubeck of LB had other reasons for his assumption, lest he be accused of reading too much from a tweet.
"Noel has been visibly absent from the team's most prominent activities this offseason, while counterparts Jahlil Okafor and Joel Embiid have notably shown their faces at Summer League, Ben Simmons' introductory presser and more," Neubeck pointed out. "There have been insistences from several parties that Noel has been working out in Philly this summer, but smoke hints at a larger fire."
What could the Lakers offer the Sixers for Noel? There is one thing that Philly could ask-lifting the top 3 protection on the 2017 first round Draft pick. While the pick belongs to the Sixers, the Lakers can still keep it if they land in the top three again.
With ESPN projecting that the Lakers will be the worst team in the Western Conference, the team could have a real chance to hold off on their obligation.
The pick will go unprotected in 2018, but the Lakers may have improved by then (the 2017 top three pick could help since it's a talented draft class) and the pick will have less value.
If the Sixers trade Noel to the Lakers in exchange for lifting the top three protection, the Sixers could have two lottery picks (their own or Sacramento's along with the Lakers') in a hyped draft class.
If Noel wants out, the Sixers may have to take what they can get and this may be the best long-term option (as they could not get assets for Noel in the last month).
Will the Lakers bite? They could lose the pick for nothing if they refuse and they're not intentionally tanking the season again. Noel also gives them a young, rim protector.