Nerlens Noel (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
As the Philadelphia 76ers have placed their two young centers up for bidding, more candidates emerge.
The Phoenix Suns could be a dark horse in the highly publicized center sweepstakes. The Sixers reportedly want a lottery pick as the ESPN report mentioned. The teams who hold picks at no.2 and 3 (the Lakers and Celtics) have hogged the rumor mill of late.
However, both teams don't seem to be willing to add value to the pot beyond their actual picks and this is where the Suns could hold the advantage. In the ESPN report that had the Sixers shopping both their big men, it was mentioned that "among the options the Sixers have is trying to trade Okafor or Noel for another high pick in the looming draft to address their backcourt needs."
It is highly unlikely for the Lakers to include their top guards D'Angelo Russell or even Jordan Clarkson in a package along with pick no.2 just for Okafor (or Noel, which some say they might prefer). The Sixers might be reluctant to include the 2017 Lakers pick which they hold as well. Most pundits predict a deadlock if these are the terms.
Boston Celtics fans like Bill Simmons have been proposing the no.3 pick to Okafor straight up. The value of the draft picks drastically drop from no.2 to no.3, so the Sixers may ask for a piece they need like Avery Bradley or Marcus Smart.
Which is why Phoenix Suns team site Valley of the Suns believes it can win the sweepstakes, but they prefer Nerlens Noel over Okafor, as writer Scott Hanna-Riggs explained.
"Best case for the Phoenix Suns would be trading for and securing an extension with Nerlens Noel. Noel would be the lanky, athletic rim protector the Suns are missing." Hanna-Riggs also pointed out that Noel edges either Suns center, Alex Len and even Tyson Chandler in terms of defensive field goal percentage (48.6).
His proposal is to send the 4th overall pick and Brandon Knight to the Sixers for Okafor. Knight is a veteran point guard who could start for Philly and the 4th overall pick is only one removed from Boston's. With the wide range of players the Sixers are targeting, it is likely they could still get him at no.4.
This trade proposal is still at the conceptual stage for the Suns and as always, it is another issue if the Sixers would accept.
