The Boston Celtics could be the likely destination for Nerlens Noel, who may have hinted an openness in getting dealt this offseason.
Noel's first message posted on social media platform Twitter in months has sparked speculations about the 22-year-old big man getting traded this offseason. Noel wrote on his tweet, "I'm blessed to be from Boston. Love my city," may just be a regular expression of admiration for his hometown, but it is also possible there is more to Noel's public display of affection, with CSNNE's A. Sherrod Blakely claiming the 2013 sixth overall pick is "very open" to being traded.
"Noel has not asked for a trade, but multiple league sources told CSNNE.com that he is 'very open' to being traded if the Sixers decide to make that decision," Blakely wrote.
"Another league source contacted by CSNNE.com on Thursday morning indicated that the Celtics still have a high level of interest in Noel but no deal is imminent."
It is no secret that the Philadelphia 76ers intend to move one of their young big men, with the team having a loaded frontcourt players. Jahlil Okafor has been touted as the expendable piece in the 76ers' core of bigs, but Noel has also been linked to several trade talks.
But while such buzz gained steam in the offseason, it remains to be seen whether the 76ers really intend to move Noel or Okafor this offseason. Joel Embiid's presence should put either one of them at the backseat, but if Embiid won't live up to the team's expectations, keeping Noel and Okafor should work as an insurance.
Nevertheless, trading Noel may still be on the table, and the Celtics have plenty of assets to make a deal into fruition.
According to Josh Wilson of the Sixers Sense, a fan site hosted by Sports Illustrated, any potential deal involving the Celtics would probably include a third team.
"If the Celtics want to get a deal done, they're almost certainly going to have to pull a third team in to attract the Sixers and give them prospects that they actually want and actually can use," Wilson wrote.
"They're also going to have to forfeit some picks in coming years Right now, the Celtics roster is full of players that the Sixers truly just do not need, and this deal seems far from realistic, given how careful Colangelo has been with trading big men so far."
The 76ers have been looking for a talented point guard they could pair with Aussie phenom Ben Simmons, but has failed to do so in the offseason. Looking at the Celtics' roster, only Marcus Smart is viewed as the tradable point guard, which may not entice Philly too much.
One potential trade scenario that could work is a three-way deal that would involve the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In a deal that works on ESPN's trade machine, the 76ers send Noel and Carl Landry to the Celtics, while Boston sends Amir Johnson to the Timberwolves. In return, Philadelphia gets a top point guard in Ricky Rubio, who could fit well playing alongside Simmons and the team's core of young talents.
Noel should boost the Celtics' frontcourt and would allow Al Horford to focus more on the offensive end. Johnson, on the other hand, brings another veteran presence to guide the Timberwolves' young big men, and should be a quality piece off the bench.
It is unclear whether the Celtics have a genuine interest in trading for Noel, but it seems a good deal, especially after missing out on Russell Westbrook this summer. As for the 76ers, they could wait until the mid-season to see if any other enticing deals come up, but acquiring Rubio should be a trade worth exploring for Philly.