The Philadelphia 76ers will remain on the top of NBA trade rumors until they trade at least one of their three young centers.
On paper, it seems like a great luxury to have: three lottery picked big-men at their primes. But it doesn't translate well on the basketball court, and it's exaggerated by today's fast-paced, shooting-centric NBA game.
Still, a talented big man in his prime is not something to scoff at, which is why it's puzzling why the Sixers continue to have this dilemma. There is interest for the two players that they have declared on the block-Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor. Some pundits believe that the Sixers may be playing too much hardball for their own good.
At first glance, the obvious odd man out seems to be Nerlens Noel. He has already made his displeasure public and the Sixers brass still doesn't know what to do with him as Ben Detrick of The Ringer illustrated.
"To clarify: Noel is not being punished, not being benched, not playing, but maybe playing? All right, then. It's a strange limbo for a guy who has been the best player on the Sixers for two straight years, and is the center most likely to fit with Embiid, the keystone of the franchise," Detrick pointed out.
David Aldridge of NBA.com wrote that Noel's public display of disgust has placed the Sixers at a quandary and could actually delay his trade. He translates recent comments by Sixers GM Bryan Colangelo:
"Translation: that doesn't mean it can't, or won't, ultimately happen, but because Noel opened up his yap, now we need some time to get his trade value up before we pull the trigger."
Detrick examined the trade possibilities for Noel and Okafor. At this point, Noel would hardly bring back much. The Minnesota Timberwolves were named as a defense-centric team that has multiple backcourt assets the Sixers would covet, but it's unlikely they part with them for what Noel is now.
In contrast, sending Okafor to the Boston Celtics, a trade that should have happened had Danny Ainge not have superstar trade aspirations, could merit Marcus Smart who is a good perimeter defender.
It still won't solve the shooting problem, but the return for Okafor now would net a rotation player. In the long term, getting rid of Okafor would open the playing time for Noel, a better fit alongside Embiid.