Nerlens Noel (Photo : Mitchell Leff | Getty Images Sport)
The NBA trade rumors have the Boston Celtics front and center as they have intended to be.
The big rumor of the Boston Celtics 'lining up' for DeMarcus Cousins as per the Sheridan Hoops report is actually a holdover from last year. The Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls are probably the new players, but the Celtics probably created that line.
However, the Sacramento Kings have vehemently denied, yet again, that they have any intention of trading DeMarcus Cousins. For all his perceived fauls, he is their only selling point both on and off the court.
It's no secret that the Celtics have been seeking a big man, but the other centers involved in that report, Hassan Whiteside and Dwight Howard, are possible free agents at the end of the season. Boston, admittedly, is not a free agent destination and there are other hordes of other teams ready and able to offer max contracts.
Thus, if the Celtics want a big man, it's best they choose one under contract and if possible, on a rookie deal. As Celtics Blog points out, that guy could be Nerlens Noel.
With the recent hiring of Jerry Colangelo, the Philadelphia 76ers could choose to compete now and the first order of business would be converting one of their two best assets (Jahlil Okafor and Noel) into a usable package.
As suggested in a fan post, Jonas Jerebko, Tyler Zeller, Jordan Mickey, RJ Hunter, Terry Rozier and the Dallas Mavericks 2016 pick for Nerlens Noel could work as the Sixers are under the cap and they don't need to match salaries.
It could be a win-win for the Sixers as they will get real NBA players that will help their team and they still gain a decent draft pick as the Mavs pick is only Top 7 protected.
For the Celtics, they get their defensive big man (although not a franchise player) and they get to unload salary without giving up the prized Brooklyn Nets pick.
The deal is plausible and it is possible that something similar to this proposal has been explored by both trade-hungry teams.
