Nerlens Noel (Photo : Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers big man Nerlens Noel could join the Houston Rockets in a three-way trade involving the Phoenix Suns.
The 76ers remain a topic in trade rumors, with the team yet to address their crowded frontcourt. While Philadelphia seems to have no rush in trading one of their big men, Nerlens Noel appears as a strong candidate to get dealt this season.
According to Andrew Lynch of Fox Sports, one of the possible destinations for Noel is the Houston Rockets in a three-way trade with the 76ers and Phoenix Suns.
In Lynch's trade scenario which works on ESPN's trade machine, the Rockets acquire Noel by sending KJ McDaniels and Clint Capela to the Suns, while the 76ers get Brandon Knight and Archie Goodwin from Phoenix. The proposed deal would also see the Suns receiving lottery-protected first-rounder and second-rounder from the Rockets and Sixers, respectively.
While it remains to be seen whether all teams involved in the potential trade would have any interests on such deal, this seems a win-win situation for the aforementioned teams.
After losing Dwight Howard to free agency, the Rockets were able to add two talented offensive big men in Ryan Anderson and Nene, but lack a defensive anchor, who could protect the rim and become a defensive menace in the paint. Adding Noel, who has a career average of 1.7 blocks and 1.8 steals per game, would address any of the defensive lapses Houston has.
On the other hand, the 76ers get a starting point guard they desperately need. While Philadelphia seems ready to give Ben Simmons the playmaking duties, adding Knight and Goodwin, two young promising point guard would take some pressure off the Aussie phenom.
Meanwhile, the Suns get to have a stockpile of young talents and picks necessary for the franchise's rebuild. With Devin Booker emerging as a potential All-Star and Tyler Ulis becoming a favorite to become a solid backup at the PG position, getting rid of Knight and Goodwin would give way to Booker and Ulis' development.
Any chances this type of deal happens rest at the hands of the 76ers letting go of Noel. The 76ers could wait until before the trade deadline and gauge Noel's value in the market. But if this trade scenario could also be worth exploring for Philly and the other teams involved.
