Nerlens Noel and Kevin Love (Photo : Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers big man Nerlens Noel could join the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-way blockbuster deal involving the Boston Celtics.
The 76ers are still a hot trade topic this offseason, with the team looking to address their crowded frontcourt. Nerlens Noel has been projected by many as the odd man out in Philly, with the Cavs appearing as a potential destination for the 22-year-old big man.
The Cavs, on the other hand, may need to tinker their lineup to catch up with the Golden State Warriors, and many believe it would be at the expense of Kevin Love, who has seen himself on a reduced role ever since arriving in Cleveland.
Love has struggled to fit playing alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, regressing into a third scoring option and a spot-up shooter in the Cavs' offense most of the times. Love's one-way game also makes him an expendable piece should the Cavs truly consider retooling their lineup and finding players more fitting to play their brand of basketball.
With a hole to fill at the center position, the Cavs could explore trading for Noel, who is listed as a four, but is capable of playing the five spot due to his length and size.
Trade scenarios of Noel heading to Cleveland have been surfacing, with Love as the trade bait. But according to Lucas Johnson of The Sixer Sense, a fan site hosted by Sports Illustrated, any deal potential deal involving Noel to Cavs should be a three-way trade with the Boston Celtics.
"If Love were to get traded he would like to go to a contender and let's face it, the Philadelphia 76ers are not going to be a contender for a few years. This deal would go a lot smoother if there was a third team added to this trade," Johnson wrote.
In Johnson's trade scenario, the Cavs acquire Noel from the Sixers and Jonas Jerebko from the Celtics, while sending Love and Iman Shumpert to Boston. Philadelphia would then receive Jaylen Brown, Amir Johnson and Terry Rozier, addressing the 76ers' need of solid backcourt pieces.
Acquiring Noel would provide the Cavs a defensive big man who can also score effectively around the rim. With his athleticism and mobility, Noel, who averaged 11.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game last season, would fit well playing a fast-paced offense.
Meanwhile, the Celtics could finally get their hands on Love, who has also been linked to Boston earlier this year. Love would give the Celtics another All-Star who can be effective playing under Brad Stevens. Love's range and outside shooting should also complement well on Horford's inside game and playing as a stretch-four would give more space for Horford to operate down low.
As for the 76ers, a pair of young talents in Brown and Rozier may not be a bad deal in exchange for Noel. Brown and Rozier would fit well playing for a young talented team, while Johnson could serve as mentor to Philly's core of young big men.
It remains to be seen whether the involved teams have genuine interests on a landscape-altering deal, but the price seems right for the 76ers and Cavs to give up their respective players often mentioned in trade rumors.
