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5 Big-Name Trade Targets For The Los Angeles Lakers In 2016-17

By Gil Alcaraz IV

Mar 16, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks on during the second quarter of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks on during the second quarter of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia 76ers C Nerlens Noel

At this moment, the 76ers have three starting-caliber centers on the roster. It only makes sense for one of them to get shipped out to make room in the rotation for the other two, right?

Well that’s what Philadelphia’s been trying to do for the last few months. They were reportedly offering Nerlens Noel, Robert Covington and a handful of draft picks to secure another top draft pick back in June (via ESPN’s Marc Stein), but failed to strike a deal. Despite their failure, it’s hard to imagine they’ve lost interest in finding a taker for one of their young big men.

Right now, it seems like Noel is the top option to be sent packing.

The Lakers seem like a realistic landing option for the defensive sensation. Even though they spent big bucks on Timofey Mozgov this offseason, the center position is easily their biggest area of need. Finding a young, high-upside player like Noel to fill the void would be a huge step forward.

Now it would obviously take some serious assets to acquire Noel, and the Lakers are already likely to send their 2017 first-round pick to the 76ers. Still, if finding a dominant presence in the paint is the goal, bringing Noel to Los Angeles would be a way of achieving it.

Next: Another Option Out Of Philadelphia

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