The Philadelphia 76ers is still at the center of NBA trade rumors and now they may have lost all their leverage.
Even before the offseason, there were numerous rumors and hypothetical scenarios for the Sixers' logjam at the center spot-perhaps the worst marketable position in the NBA today.
As SB Nation team blog Liberty Ballers indicated, the strategy of taking the best player available for three straight drafts without regard for position backfired.
"Were the Sixers best talent stored at another position, this might have been avoided," Kyle Neubeck of LB wrote. "Let's say the team took three wings with their top picks across the last few drafts instead; while they would have ended up with another battle of ego and opportunity, there are ways to work around that."
Noel has already went public about his desire to bolt from the team, specifically because of the conundrum at his position now that Joel Embiid will finally debut after sitting out two seasons due to injury.
"I feel like it definitely needs to be figured out," Noel said to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer (h/t SB Nation) said. "I think at the end of the day, again, you have three starting-caliber centers. And it's just not going to work to anybody's advantage having that on the same team. That's how I'm looking at it. I'm not opposed to anything, but things need to be situated."
Noel is not mincing words as he's obviously not optimistic about how the Sixers brass will handle the roster. With a public declaration, the Sixers may have lost all their leverage and settle for trade packages with low returns.
The Milwaukee Bucks is the team that is specifically seeking a defensive center. They already have a prized center in Greg Monroe, but he is not a good fit for the team. Monroe would be a fit for the Boston Celtics which leads to the possibility of a three-way trade.
Monroe has been a Celtics target even last season and the team can cover his defensive liabilities. Noel is young, athletic and his defense is what the Bucks wanted from Monroe.
The question remains on what the Celtics will send to the Sixers. Danny Ainge has always wanted a bargain and he might get one now that Noel has gone public.
Since the Celtics have used their cap space, taking Monroe will require them to send out Amir Johnson to the Bucks, Terry Rozier and James Young to the Sixers, as in this ESPN Trade Machine-approved deal.
The Bucks improve their frontline, the Celtics get their low-post scoring center and the Sixers dump their disgruntled young center and get two young guards in return in this possible scenario.