NBA Trade Rumors: Atlanta Hawks Need Nerlens Noel

The Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly engaged in conversations about a swap of Jeff Teague for Nerlens Noel. Atlanta needs to get this done.

The 2016 NBA offseason has yet to begin, but the trade rumors have already begun to surface. It’s been known for quite some time that the Philadelphia 76ers had a logjam down low, and the general expectation has been that one of its endless list of big men would be dealt.

According to a recent report, the 76ers are inclined to move big man Nerlens Noel in the very near future.

Noel is one of the more intriguing players on the 76ers’ roster, but there’s a surplus of big men. Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor can play center on a full-time basis, and both Noel and Dario Saric play the 4, with the former projecting well at the 5.

According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, the Sixers and Atlanta Hawks are close to executing a trade that would swap Noel for All-Star point guard Jeff Teague.

Simply put, the Hawks need to make this trade.

Noel is a polarizing individual due to his thin frame and the torn ACL he suffered during his freshman season with the Kentucky Wildcats. During his brief career with the 76ers, however, he’s been one of the more intriguing young big men in the NBA.

Playing in Philadelphia has limited Noel’s exposure, but he’d be a wonderful acquisition for the Hawks if dealing Teague is the extent of the cost.

Defensive Potential

The most significant aspect of Nerlens Noel’s upside is his undeniable defensive potential. Already a productive player on the defensive end of the floor, Noel could potentially develop into the Atlanta Hawks’ defensive anchor.

With Al Horford nearing unrestricted free agency, landing Noel as the short-term—or, with Horford on the roster, long-term—center would be ideal.

Through two seasons, Noel is averaging 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.7 blocks in 30.1 minutes of action per game. That translates to averages of 9.7 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 2.0 blocks per 36 minutes.

For what it’s worth, the only other players with cumulative averages of at least 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals over the past two seasons are DeMarcus Cousins and Paul Millsap.

Beyond the basic numbers, Noel held opponents to 48.6 percent shooting when he met them at the rim—an above-average mark. He also limited his assignments to 53.2 percent shooting from six feet and within—a remarkable drop-off of 7.9 percent.

Already a very capable rim protector, Noel has All-Defensive Team potential.

The Schröder Factor

The idea of trading All-Star point guard Jeff Teague in the prime of his career is nothing if not polarizing. He’s not an elite player, but is certainly a starting-caliber point guard, and has helped Atlanta make the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons.

Losing Teague would hurt, but it would also open the door for the inevitable emergence of point guard Dennis Schroder.

In terms of the minutes distribution, Teague has been the featured point guard over the past two seasons. We’d be remiss to ignore the fact that Schröder has received consistent opportunities to close out games in the playoffs, however, and he’s done so in favor of Teague.

Thus, the process of replacing Teague with Schröder has already begun.

Schröder finished 2015-16 with per 36 averages of 19.5 points, 7.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.7 3-point field goals made. More importantly, the 22-year-old excelled at creating penetration, which is something that Atlanta needs to do with more consistency.

A young and promising point guard is the first step to truly rebuilding. A young and promising big man is the next.

Rare Developable Talent

The Atlanta Hawks are stuck in basketball limbo. Atlanta is good enough to make the playoffs every year—it’s made nine consecutive postseason appearances—but not good enough to be a championship contender—it’s made it past the second round just once in that time.

In order to escape basketball limbo, the Hawks need young and developable talent—and that’s exactly what Nerlens Noel can be.

Noel is a 22-year-old power forward with the potential to bulk up and operate as a center. He measured at 6’11.75″ with a 7’3.75″ wingspan at the 2013 NBA Draft Combine, and is a fluid athlete who can play above the rim, run in transition, and switch on the pick-and-roll.

Noel’s health is a concern, but adding a potentially elite defensive player is a necessary course of action in Atlanta.

With Noel and Dennis Schröder on the roster, the Hawks would have two 22-year-old rising stars to build around. That’d position Atlanta to potentially rebuild in a way that acknowledges the modern need for a high-caliber point guard and an athletic rim protector.

More importantly, it’d give the Hawks two high-caliber young players who can play big minutes and develop into key assets to Mike Budenholzer’s long-term vision.

must read: What would be the best landing spots for Nerlens Noel in a potential trade?

The only way out of basketball limbo is to swing for the fences on potentially elite talent, and Noel fits the bill defensively.