Good news! Nerlens Noel is reportedly close to returning the hardwood. Bad News? Nerlens Noel would probably do it a uniform other than the Philadelphia 76ers. Trade rumors regarding the Sixers big man have again begun to rise seemingly in parallel to Joel Embiid's impressive start.
It seems every trade rumors concerning the Philadephia 76ers point to the injured Nerlens Noel. This time, though, sophomore big man Jahlil Okafor and rookie Joel Embiid have been included into the mix. However, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders nixed the notion that Okafor could be dealt with and states that the Sixers would likely move Nerlens Noel once Noel returns from his knee injury.
Interestingly, it was Nerlens Noel who pointed out that the Philadelphia 76ers have too many centers. Noel spoke openly about the team's need to trade for their big man. However, according to ESPN, the Sixers would certainly keep Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor. That makes Noel the odd-man out.
Jahlil Okafor missed the start of the season with an injury. Since his return, the former third overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft has averaged close to 11 PPG and 3.5 RPG.
Nerlens Noel has yet to step on the hardwood this 2016-2017 season since he is still recovering from a knee surgery. Although the former number 6 overall pick in the 2013 draft has played well when is able to get court time, the series of injuries he had incurred over the years raise alarm bells to potential trade partners.
The 76ers are well-stocked with quality big-men. As talented as Noel, Okafor, and Embiid are, giving playing time to everyone of them would be difficult. But with Noel's recent injuries and his contract set to expire at the end of the year, it seems logical for the Sixers to try and trade Noel before the trade deadline rather than risk losing the big man without getting anything in return.
