CBS Sports "reporting": Sixers reportedly plan to trade either Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor

[sixerswillrule]

1. Simmons will start the season at 4. but Brett has made it clear he wants him to finish the season at pg, if things work out.
2. Defense is great, but somebody has to put the ball in the hole.

Brett Brown has made it clear from day 1 that he labels positions based on who they guard. Simmons will primarily guard the 4. His ball handling responsibilities will increase throughout the seasons.

What do you think about Simmons/Saric playing together as the forwards with Simmons defending threes?

[LloydFree]

So who starts at the 5. Jahlil or Nerlens?

If all three make it to the regular season... whoever is being showcased for trade.

[eagledeegle]

Coach declared both Embiid and Noel pure 5-men (obvious but good news nonetheless). Good to know he doesn't plan to play either out of position going forward. I believe a trade is coming soon and will happen before the pre-season starts. I'm going to predict a Nerlens Noel trade to either one of Cleveland, Golden State, Houston or Portland. I'd prefer a move off Okafor, but I only see Charlotte, Chicago or New Orleans as possibilities. I'm pretty sure Noel has the much higher value, so I think he will be the one traded. Either way, as long as they don't trade Noel to Boston, I'm good

Not sure GS or Cleveland could realistically offer anything of value (I don't see either parting with any of their starting core). The trouble is that at this point, teams aren't scrambling. Most believe that their roster is set and have pumped up mediocre talent in their minds as "good enough". The time to strike on a trade is at the deadline (when their "good enough" isn't good enough) or during the draft.

[Sandalf42]

Coach declared both Embiid and Noel pure 5-men (obvious but good news nonetheless). Good to know he doesn't plan to play either out of position going forward. I believe a trade is coming soon and will happen before the pre-season starts. I'm going to predict a Nerlens Noel trade to either one of Cleveland, Golden State, Houston or Portland. I'd prefer a move off Okafor, but I only see Charlotte, Chicago or New Orleans as possibilities. I'm pretty sure Noel has the much higher value, so I think he will be the one traded. Either way, as long as they don't trade Noel to Boston, I'm good

Not sure GS or Cleveland could realistically offer anything of value (I don't see either parting with any of their starting core). The trouble is that at this point, teams aren't scrambling. Most believe that their roster is set and have pumped up mediocre talent in their minds as "good enough". The time to strike on a trade is at the deadline (when their "good enough" isn't good enough) or during the draft.

This is why we might be better served waiting until the season starts. Teams are confident now, but they get a few games in, and see that the young center prospect they've been banking on look awful, and they start to lose games, I bet you'll say offers go up. And once one offer goes up, it leaves the possibility open for a bidding war.

[spikeslovechild]

Brett was on with Barkann on PST yesterday... i don't know if anyone has link to THOSE quotes but they were a little different then the ones coming out on twitter from the luncheon. not contradicting - just more info IMO

going from memory so if anyone finds the direct quotes - feel free to post but

1) barkann did a live Q&A with fans and of course someone asks about nerlens/jah (relating this thread)
- Brett's response was very telling:
- paraphrasing but he said basically Joel, Noel, and Jah will all play the 5 most of the time BECAUSE simmons and saric will occupy most of the minutes at the 4. IF they play a big lineup like SAS, Grizz, etc.. then you could see them go bigger with (i'm guessing jah at the 4) ....
2) he was asked about where simmons plays
- Brett said since he played the 4 his whole life, he will start him there to let him adjust to the league. He said he thinks about him bringing the ball up alot. he also said if dario plays well enough - you COULD see simmons play some 3.
3) he talked about Joel
- sees his best quality being a rim protector. will 100% be on a min restriction - "they've come too far" to just let him go free without caution


and there was other good stuff. of course about him and his beard.

That is a problem. That likely means at some point not only Noel will need to be moved but Okafor as well.

If Brett Brown does this that likely means both Okafor and Noel will sit for long stretches. I don't know why we wouldn't have Simmons prove he can't play the three before moving him to an already crowded 4 but what do I know. Very disappointing.

I don't see the problem. You want your best players playing at the position that is optimal for them. You don't move your best players to play a position that doesn't suit them best to make room for a lesser player. I love what Briwn is saying. He just needs to follow through with what he says.

So you would have benched Tim Duncan then.

[Unbreakable99]

That is a problem. That likely means at some point not only Noel will need to be moved but Okafor as well.

If Brett Brown does this that likely means both Okafor and Noel will sit for long stretches. I don't know why we wouldn't have Simmons prove he can't play the three before moving him to an already crowded 4 but what do I know. Very disappointing.

I don't see the problem. You want your best players playing at the position that is optimal for them. You don't move your best players to play a position that doesn't suit them best to make room for a lesser player. I love what Briwn is saying. He just needs to follow through with what he says.

So you would have benched Tim Duncan then.

Why would I when PF was Duncan's best position? He could play defense at a high level and rebound and score. He wasn't a liability in any aspect. Okafor and Noel would be liabilities in certain aspects. And also there was no PF better than Duncan on that team. Right now Simmons is a better PF than both Okafor and Noel. It's not that complicated.

[76ciology]

I prefer Simmons playing SF on defense and PG on offense, then have Okafor play PF with trying his best to improve his rebounding and outside shooting. Something like a better ISO scorer and rim protector version of Kevin Love. Not saying both guys can play that role tomorrow, more of them trying to play that role in the long term. Kind of how LBJ-Love are, but again I'm not saying both guys are already equipped to play that role.

Either way, PF or SF, Simmons needs to improve his shooting and defense. And either way, PF or C, Jah needs to improve his defense,rebounding and perimeter shooting.

I just think that playing a smaller position role can improve their defensive impact because of size advantage while having mobility to play that position and at the same time smaller position role might lead to lesser defensive responsibilities. While I understand that player development will need to play its role to achieve this.

[Ericb5]

I don't see the problem. You want your best players playing at the position that is optimal for them. You don't move your best players to play a position that doesn't suit them best to make room for a lesser player. I love what Briwn is saying. He just needs to follow through with what he says.

So you would have benched Tim Duncan then.

Why would I when PF was Duncan's best position? He could play defense at a high level and rebound and score. He wasn't a liability in any aspect. Okafor and Noel would be liabilities in certain aspects. And also there was no PF better than Duncan on that team. Right now Simmons is a better PF than both Okafor and Noel. It's not that complicated.

If Duncan was coming into the league today small ball fans would be arguing that he would have to play center because they wouldn't want him chasing around stretch 4's.


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[hookshot199]

Coach declared both Embiid and Noel pure 5-men (obvious but good news nonetheless). Good to know he doesn't plan to play either out of position going forward. I believe a trade is coming soon and will happen before the pre-season starts. I'm going to predict a Nerlens Noel trade to either one of Cleveland, Golden State, Houston or Portland. I'd prefer a move off Okafor, but I only see Charlotte, Chicago or New Orleans as possibilities. I'm pretty sure Noel has the much higher value, so I think he will be the one traded. Either way, as long as they don't trade Noel to Boston, I'm good

Not sure GS or Cleveland could realistically offer anything of value (I don't see either parting with any of their starting core). The trouble is that at this point, teams aren't scrambling. Most believe that their roster is set and have pumped up mediocre talent in their minds as "good enough". The time to strike on a trade is at the deadline (when their "good enough" isn't good enough) or during the draft.

This is why we might be better served waiting until the season starts. Teams are confident now, but they get a few games in, and see that the young center prospect they've been banking on look awful, and they start to lose games, I bet you'll say offers go up. And once one offer goes up, it leaves the possibility open for a bidding war.

I'm sorry that Brown said as much as he did. Unless a trade is in the works and imminent, he's just pulled a Bryan Colangelo and devalued Noel or Okafor.

[Sixerscan]

What I found interesting was Brett seeming more open to playing Ben at the 3 when Saric is out there. So either:

1. Brett thinks Saric is just that good and they have to find minutes for him.
2. Brett is more comfortable playing Ben at the 3 when the guy playing the 4 is an actual 4 and not a center.
3. Brett might think Saric and Simmons can switch between the two spots interchangeably which is easier than putting Simmons out on an island as a pure 3.

Either way, I assume this will be very matchup dependent. Funny enough, the thunder are actually a team I could see the Sixers go two centers and Simmons when okc goes with Adams/Kanter.

[Sandalf42]

Not sure GS or Cleveland could realistically offer anything of value (I don't see either parting with any of their starting core). The trouble is that at this point, teams aren't scrambling. Most believe that their roster is set and have pumped up mediocre talent in their minds as "good enough". The time to strike on a trade is at the deadline (when their "good enough" isn't good enough) or during the draft.

This is why we might be better served waiting until the season starts. Teams are confident now, but they get a few games in, and see that the young center prospect they've been banking on look awful, and they start to lose games, I bet you'll say offers go up. And once one offer goes up, it leaves the possibility open for a bidding war.

I'm sorry that Brown said as much as he did. Unless a trade is in the works and imminent, he's just pulled a Bryan Colangelo and devalued Noel or Okafor.

I agree with you there. Everything colangelo and brown have said make it sound like a trade is imminent, and is thus devaluing both of them. While I expect us to wait, I'm ok with taking a meh deal for Noel at this point. For a team as young and talented as we are, I think stability might be just as beneficial than getting an even swap of talent.

[Unbreakable99]

This is why we might be better served waiting until the season starts. Teams are confident now, but they get a few games in, and see that the young center prospect they've been banking on look awful, and they start to lose games, I bet you'll say offers go up. And once one offer goes up, it leaves the possibility open for a bidding war.

I'm sorry that Brown said as much as he did. Unless a trade is in the works and imminent, he's just pulled a Bryan Colangelo and devalued Noel or Okafor.

I agree with you there. Everything colangelo and brown have said make it sound like a trade is imminent, and is thus devaluing both of them. While I expect us to wait, I'm ok with taking a meh deal for Noel at this point. For a team as young and talented as we are, I think stability might be just as beneficial than getting an even swap of talent.

They aren't devalued. If Noel only plays 15 minutes he's not going to be devalued. Teams know how good he is. Playing fewer minutes doesn't mean you're not as good.

[Unbreakable99]

So you would have benched Tim Duncan then.

Why would I when PF was Duncan's best position? He could play defense at a high level and rebound and score. He wasn't a liability in any aspect. Okafor and Noel would be liabilities in certain aspects. And also there was no PF better than Duncan on that team. Right now Simmons is a better PF than both Okafor and Noel. It's not that complicated.

If Duncan was coming into the league today small ball fans would be arguing that he would have to play center because they wouldn't want him chasing around stretch 4's.


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You're probably right but Duncan was an elite defender and rebounder. And he can score. It would be much worse for whoever would be guarding him. Okafor isn't good on defense and he's not a good rebounder. Noel is great on defense but isn't good at scoring. And KAT was just drafted and nobody said he shouldn't play the 4 so it wouldn't matter anyway. Duncan coming out of college today would be a PF and a great one at that.

[Ericb5]

This is why we might be better served waiting until the season starts. Teams are confident now, but they get a few games in, and see that the young center prospect they've been banking on look awful, and they start to lose games, I bet you'll say offers go up. And once one offer goes up, it leaves the possibility open for a bidding war.

I'm sorry that Brown said as much as he did. Unless a trade is in the works and imminent, he's just pulled a Bryan Colangelo and devalued Noel or Okafor.

I agree with you there. Everything colangelo and brown have said make it sound like a trade is imminent, and is thus devaluing both of them. While I expect us to wait, I'm ok with taking a meh deal for Noel at this point. For a team as young and talented as we are, I think stability might be just as beneficial than getting an even swap of talent.

Colangelo let the horse out of the barn already. Brett Brown is just taking about the horse.


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[Sixerscan]

Or no one in the NBA thinks okafor can play the 4.

[LloydFree]

I love it. The off-season is so long. All off-season you read these ridiculous lineup proposals and you forget the Coach isn't an idiot. Then the 1st day he says the most obvious logical thing, and all your hand-wringing was for nothing.

[Eyeamok]

I love it. The off-season is so long. All off-season you read these ridiculous lineup proposals and you forget the Coach isn't an idiot. Then the 1st day he says the most obvious logical thing, and all your hand-wringing was for nothing.

What's the off season without a little hand-wringing ! It's a rite of passage. Off season into the season.

[hinkieknows]

What I found interesting was Brett seeming more open to playing Ben at the 3 when Saric is out there. So either:

1. Brett thinks Saric is just that good and they have to find minutes for him.
2. Brett is more comfortable playing Ben at the 3 when the guy playing the 4 is an actual 4 and not a center.
3. Brett might think Saric and Simmons can switch between the two spots interchangeably which is easier than putting Simmons out on an island as a pure 3.

Either way, I assume this will be very matchup dependent. Funny enough, the thunder are actually a team I could see the Sixers go two centers and Simmons when okc goes with Adams/Kanter.

That's the great thing about SImmons and Saric that Brett Brown will have fun playing around with. I still think Saric can play the 3 at times with both of them switching off depending on lineup situations etc. Sixers have a tall team that's for sure It's going to cause problems for other teams especially if Simmons/Saric can play the 3.

[76thBearCub]

I've said it before, and we all know it, but if Simmons and Saric can play at the same time that would be kind of a big deal. And it could make for some gorgeous ball movement.

[Ericb5]

I've said it before, and we all know it, but if Simmons and Saric can play at the same time that would be kind of a big deal. And it could make for some gorgeous ball movement.

I don't think that that is really a difficult question to answer. In fact I think that they so obviously COULD play with one another that the better question to ask is really how good will Saric be?

If Saric is really good, then he and Simmons will be great together. They would intermix on offense and defense due to switching, but I think that the combo that will definitely work would be Simmons playing the 4 or 1 on offense, and guarding the 3, and Saric playing the 3 on offense and guarding the 4.

I still think that long term that Saric is going to be coming off the bench though so Simmons and Saric would play for stretches together, but also would play quite a bit in other scenarios.



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