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Boston Celtics: A Realistic Big-Man Wish List For 2016 Trade Deadline

By Jon Shames

Dec 31, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) untucks his shirt as he heads to the locker room after being ejected from the game after receiving his second technical foul during the second half of the Boston Celtics 106-84 win over the Sacramento Kings at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) untucks his shirt as he heads to the locker room after being ejected from the game after receiving his second technical foul during the second half of the Boston Celtics 106-84 win over the Sacramento Kings at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 16, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward center Nerlens Noel (4) reacts during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward center Nerlens Noel (4) reacts during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

2.) Nerlens Noel

Nerlens Noel — an athletic, unpolished and defensive-minded center with all the upside in the world — is the antithesis of Jefferson, but the former may be an even better fit for Boston.

The 21-year-old Noel is one of the Association’s premier up-and-comers, but his future in Philadelphia has been clouded by the strong play of fellow center Jahlil Okafor; the most recent addition to the 76ers trio of big men (or duo; can we even count Joel Embiid at this point?) is averaging 17.2 points per game this year, and has slowly upped his efficiency as the season has matured. Noel is considered to have a higher upside than does Okafor, but the latter all but guarantees long-term results, a reality that makes Noel an expendable asset.

For the Celtics, bringing in a project center during a win-now season isn’t ideal, but Brad Stevens has shown an adeptness when it comes to bringing out the best of his players. Noel’s athleticism and strong hands would — at the very least — make him an immediate impact-maker in the rebounding and defense departments.

Noel wouldn’t be much of a help offensively, at least at the time being; he doesn’t space the floor and isn’t great at creating his own shot. Still, using his wide body for pick-and-rolls with Isaiah Thomas would be a formidable weapon, especially as a starting point for Noel’s offensive contributions.

Unfortunately, 21-year-old centers with legitimate star potential don’t grow on trees, so the asking price would be relatively high for Noel, should the Celtics make a call for him. The Brooklyn Nets’ first-round pick would be a lock-in for this deal to go down, and the Celtics would likely have to add another player (perhaps Jared Sullinger or Kelly Olynyk) to sweeten the pot.

Whether or not that asking price would be too high for Boston remains unseen, but Danny Ainge is perhaps the best GM in the league when it comes to making trades, so the chances of the Celtics getting the short end of the stick in a move for Noel would be slim.

Next: Even Bigger and Even Better

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