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NBA Trade Rumors: Best Landing Spots For Nerlens Noel

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) warms up before action against the New Orleans Pelicans at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) warms up before action against the New Orleans Pelicans at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly interested in trading rim protecting big man Nerlens Noel. Which NBA team would be his best landing spot?

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Whether you loved him or hated him, there’s no denying that Sam Hinkie accumulated a wealth of talent as general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers. Those young weapons all happened to play the same positions, but there’s no way around how promising Philadelphia’s interior is.

In an attempt to build a roster with superior balance, newly appointed general manager Bryan Colangelo is testing the market value on those accumulated assets.

Having yet to play a game in a 76ers jersey, Joel Embiid and Dario Saric remain enigmatic figures. The NBA community has become familiar with Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor, however, and that’s birthed the current situation.

According to Marc Stein and Chad Ford of ESPN, the 76ers are open to the possibility of trading both Okafor and Noel.

"Sources told ESPN that the Sixers are determined to gauge the trade market for both Okafor and Noel and are increasingly likely to move at least one of them in conjunction with the draft, in which Philadelphia holds the No. 1 overall selection for the first time since selecting Allen Iverson in 1996. In recent weeks, rival executives have been forecasting Philadelphia to be one of the most active teams this offseason in terms of pursuing trades, with new personnel boss Bryan Colangelo known to be aggressive and openly determined to speed Philadelphia’s return to playoff contention."

If nothing else, it comes as no surprise that Philadelphia intends to break up its overloaded interior.

Noel was solid as a rookie, and made intriguing progress during his second season. Despite playing less than 30 minutes per game, he averaged 11.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.3 offensive boards, 1.8 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks on 52.1 percent shooting from the field.

From 2014-15 to 2015-16, Noel improved his per 36 averages in points, rebounds, assists, and steals.

Noel is still filling out physically, and developing fundamentally, but he’s made encouraging progress for a 22-year-old big man. He held opponents to 48.6 percent shooting at the rim in 2015-16, and has the tools to become an elite defensive player.

If Noel is traded, the following teams could help him live up to that potential.

Next: Filling A Void

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