Philadelphia 76ers big man Nerlens Noel and Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio could be two of the likely trade targets in the 2016-2017 regular season.
Bleacher Report's Dan Favale listed the players in the league most likely to become trade targets once the regular seasons begins. Among the players included in Favale's predictions, Noel and Rubio top the list, with both players having been linked to the rumor mill in the past few months.
Noel has become the centerpiece of trade talks, with the 76ers yet to address their crowded frontcourt. His recent comments about Philadelphia's current situation at the center spot also suggests displeasure for Noel, which could contribute to him getting traded before the deadline.
Many teams have targeted Noel during the offseason, but only a handful of them make sense as the 22-year-old's potential destination. The Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors would certainly entertain adding Noel to their roster, with both teams lacking a defensive big man who can serve as a solid rim-protector.
The Los Angeles Lakers also have tradable pieces in Nick Young to make an offer for Noel, who averaged 11.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game last season, while the Boston Celtics could also use their plethora of draft picks to acquire the 2014 No. 6 overall pick.
Likewise, Rubio could also draw a number of teams interested in acquiring his services. Speculations are rampant about Rubio becoming the odd man out in Minnesota, with Kris Dunn expected to take up his minutes under Tom Thibodeau's schemes.
Teams like the Sacramento Kings could be interested to trade for a point guard, who can maximize DeMarcus Cousins' talents and the team's other players. Rubio, who averaged 10.1 points and 8.6 assists per game, could also become a target for San Antonio Spurs, who could use a backup point guard that suits well in the team's brand of basketball.
But interestingly, the 76ers could be the ones monitoring Rubio's situation in Minnesota. The 76ers will be without Ben Simmons for a lengthy time after the first overall pick suffered foot injury in the offseason. With only Jerryd Bayless as the team's reliable PG, it would behoove the 76ers to look for an alternative and someone who can fit well playing alongside the team's promising frontcourt.
Trading Noel for Rubio would not work under NBA salary guidelines, but if both teams are interested on the potential deal, Philadelphia could include another player down the rotation or a future pick to make the trade work.
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