Nerlens Noel (Photo : Getty Images)
The Portland Trailblazers are reportedly interested in Philadelphia 76ers big man Nerlens Noel, who is likely to play for another team before the February 23 deadline.
Many believe Noel could be the likely odd man out in Philadelphia, who have yet to address their crowded frontcourt. While the 76ers have yet to show any indications they are willing to move Noel before the deadline, Sam Amico of Amico Hoops reported that Noel has hinted he would like to play for a new team upon his return from injury, and the Blazers are among the teams interested in acquiring his services.
"Noel has hinted he would like to play elsewhere when he does return, and the Sixers are attempting to accommodate him. He is part of a crowded frontcourt that includes second-year center Jahlil Okafor and rookie Joel Embiid," Amico wrote.
"Several teams, including Portland, have recently held discussions with the Sixers about Noel."
The Blazers are struggling to find their winning ways, and one of contributing factors for the team's inconsistency is the lack of interior defense. The team ranks 4th in the league in Opponent Points in the paint, averaging 46.9 a game and has a league-worst Defensive Rating of 110.4 points per game.
Noel would simply fit in the Blazers' needs and would be an "attractive option" for the team, reports Molly Blue of The Oregonian. With a career average of 1.7 blocks per game, the 22-year-old center would provide Portland rim-protection and interior defense.
Nerlens Noel: "It’s just a logjam. You have 3 talented centers that can play 30+ min a night and not 3 centers can play 30 min a night."
— Jessica Camerato (@JCameratoCSN) September 26, 2016
With the team having plenty of assets, the Blazers could create an enticing package the 76ers could not refuse. As ESPN's Marc Stein reported, Portland's summer signings of Allen Crabbe, Evan Turner and Moe Harkless are part of an "asset collection" for available deals.
"The suspicion among numerous league observers is that the Blazers' non-stop spending this past offseason was asset collection as much as anything. Scan through all those names again and it's clear Portland has no shortage of options to thrust itself into all kinds of trade talks as GM Neil Olshey continues to shape the roster around backcourt bedrocks Lillard and C.J. McCollum," Stein wrote.
Whether the Blazers would truly make a move for Noel remains to be seen, but if the team wants to remain contenders in the West, it is a deal worth considering.
Video courtesy: YouTube/FreeDawkins
