NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Teams That Should Trade For Goran Dragic
1. Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers need to clear their center logjam, most likely by trading Nerlens Noel. The Heat need to rebuild around youth, most likely by capitalizing on Dragic’s current trade value. This isn’t rocket science.
On the one hand, there’d be an undeniable irony in a team that already has Hassan Whiteside trading for a center whose early career has been obstructed by the Sixers’ frontcourt logjam.
On the other hand, Dragic’s contract isn’t doing any good sitting on Miami’s books, and if the Heat can turn it into a 22-year-old bursting with potential like Noel, that’s the kind of asset acquisition you can’t turn down — regardless of positional overlap.
Play Noel at the 4, hope Whiteside develops a jumper, let Noel build his trade value, flip him elsewhere, do whatever it takes. The Sixers need to find a way to get this future defensive stud off their roster, and Miami could use some young talent to pair with Justise Winslow, Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson for the future.
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Like it or not, Whiteside is already 27, and sooner or later, the Heat will need to think about leveraging his gargantuan stats into a trade. That kind of trade would bring in more talent and draft picks, which align more closely with the timeline of Miami’s younger core.
It may be uncomfortable for awhile with two starting-caliber centers, one of whom is injury-prone and may have to continue playing out of position, but adding Noel would be a pretty solid return for a 30-year-old point guard like Dragic.
For the Sixers, this deal would add a playmaker and floor general who could help them be a little more competitive, especially with Jerryd Bayless done for the year and rookie Ben Simmons still recovering.
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Dragic would make the Sixers infinitely more fun to watch, pairing with Joel Embiid and putting up monster numbers in the process (get it?). It may not be the Dragon’s preferred destination, but in terms of teams in need of backcourt help, Philly might be able to offer the greatest return in a potential trade.