Where is Nerlens?

[Chris4Vikes]

There is quite a few places Noel makes sense. Maybe 1 or 2 places Okafor makes sense. Okafor really only fits Chicago. I would take Valentine and a future 1st for him in a heartbeat, but I don't think management wants to take that kind of backlash. Noel to Cleveland for Kevin Love as part of a 3 way makes sense. Noel to New Orleans, Lakers, Toronto, Portland or Golden State all make sense, but LA is probably ths only team of that group that has young players to send back.

Yes, I agree. I am not saying that several teams would not want Noel. I am just having a hard time finding a trade - knowing that Philly expects significant value back. I predict that the return for Noel is a couple of non-premium first round picks. Not what Philly wants, but I can't find a trade with a young guard(s) that Philly would want.

I am a Celtics fan and I like Noel. But I don't see a trade. Much like with other teams.

It's like you really believe that if you just keep saying Noel can be had for very little, then eventually the Celtics will get him for nothing. Oh man, I tried really hard to find a fair young guard for Noel but I can't so guess he'll just have to go to the Celtics for flotsam.

Flotsam? No. But if there was an adequate offer out there for Noel (in BC's mind), a trade would have been made already. The offers don't get better from here. They just don't. The Lakers won't call saying, "Oh we forgot to tell you that we will make Russell available".

I honestly hope that the Sixers keep all 3 centers into opening day. I'll be back on this board for the entertainment.

Does Okafor have any training playing PG?

[Ericb5]

Yes, I agree. I am not saying that several teams would not want Noel. I am just having a hard time finding a trade - knowing that Philly expects significant value back. I predict that the return for Noel is a couple of non-premium first round picks. Not what Philly wants, but I can't find a trade with a young guard(s) that Philly would want.

I am a Celtics fan and I like Noel. But I don't see a trade. Much like with other teams.

It's like you really believe that if you just keep saying Noel can be had for very little, then eventually the Celtics will get him for nothing. Oh man, I tried really hard to find a fair young guard for Noel but I can't so guess he'll just have to go to the Celtics for flotsam.

Flotsam? No. But if there was an adequate offer out there for Noel (in BC's mind), a trade would have been made already. The offers don't get better from here. They just don't. The Lakers won't call saying, "Oh we forgot to tell you that we will make Russell available".

I honestly hope that the Sixers keep all 3 centers into opening day. I'll be back on this board for the entertainment.

Does Okafor have any training playing PG?

The offers could easily get better from here. I believe that we will trade one of them before the beginning of the season, but if we have to go to the trade deadline then that will be fine. The offers won't be any worse then, and maybe they are better.


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[Chris4Vikes]

It's like you really believe that if you just keep saying Noel can be had for very little, then eventually the Celtics will get him for nothing. Oh man, I tried really hard to find a fair young guard for Noel but I can't so guess he'll just have to go to the Celtics for flotsam.

Flotsam? No. But if there was an adequate offer out there for Noel (in BC's mind), a trade would have been made already. The offers don't get better from here. They just don't. The Lakers won't call saying, "Oh we forgot to tell you that we will make Russell available".

I honestly hope that the Sixers keep all 3 centers into opening day. I'll be back on this board for the entertainment.

Does Okafor have any training playing PG?

The offers could easily get better from here. I believe that we will trade one of them before the beginning of the season, but if we have to go to the trade deadline then that will be fine. The offers won't be any worse then, and maybe they are better.


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You keep telling yourself that. Noel will be getting 15 minutes a night and his stats will be down. Plus he'll be even closer to being a restricted free agent. A prospective trading partner will say, "You want what for a guy putting up 6 points a night who will command a near max deal in a few months?"

[jbent87]

Flotsam? No. But if there was an adequate offer out there for Noel (in BC's mind), a trade would have been made already. The offers don't get better from here. They just don't. The Lakers won't call saying, "Oh we forgot to tell you that we will make Russell available".

I honestly hope that the Sixers keep all 3 centers into opening day. I'll be back on this board for the entertainment.

Does Okafor have any training playing PG?

The offers could easily get better from here. I believe that we will trade one of them before the beginning of the season, but if we have to go to the trade deadline then that will be fine. The offers won't be any worse then, and maybe they are better.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You keep telling yourself that. Noel will be getting 15 minutes a night and his stats will be down. Plus he'll be even closer to being a restricted free agent. A prospective trading partner will say, "You want what for a guy putting up 6 points a night who will command a near max deal in a few months?"

He won't be getting 15 mins a night. Embiid is gonna be getting 15 mins a night. Factor in injuries and impromptu hot starts from teams who didn't expect to play that well who will turn into buyers at the deadline too.

There will be better offers at the trade deadline and if not the same exact ones that are there now.

[Gsraider]

You keep telling yourself that. Noel will be getting 15 minutes a night and his stats will be down. Plus he'll be even closer to being a restricted free agent. A prospective trading partner will say, "You want what for a guy putting up 6 points a night who will command a near max deal in a few months?"

Chris, I haven't kept up with this entire thread, but your posts have been largely respectful from what I have read. Be that as it may, I don't know if you actually believe what you just wrote or you want to believe it. Even if Embid proves healthy, he will most likely be on a restriction to 20 +/- mpg for the first few months of the year and likely will not play in back to backs. Secondly, with Simmons and Saric being able to play multiple positions, Okafor and Noel will get a few minutes at PF and C each game in all likelihood. Third, after watching the ludicrous contracts handed out this summer to guys like E. Turner and T. Mosgov, a team that trades for Noel will at least know they have the inside track to re-sign him. Without trading for him, he's restricted (Philly can just bring him back) and other teams are in the hunt.

For me, I think it makes most sense to part with a big man, but not necessarily before the season begins. If Embid did not have his injury history, I would probably say it should be before the season begins, but as sad as it would be, would anyone be shocked if Embid can't hold up? Yet, how will you know until he plays? If he can't hold up or will always be a limited minutes guy in order to hold up, is it quite as obvious that Philly has to trade Okafor or Noel? Not to me. Whether BC panics at some point, time will tell, but for now, I see absolutely no reason to panic. Meanwhile, if a trade nets you something akin to a better version of G. Henderson, what is the point? If that's what's being offered, I'd sooner roll the dice that a team sustains an injury during the season and/or a team thinks they are one player away from making a run in the playoffs. Those things will increase offers unlike now, where things are pretty stagnant.

[Sixerscan]

The offers could easily get better from here. I believe that we will trade one of them before the beginning of the season, but if we have to go to the trade deadline then that will be fine. The offers won't be any worse then, and maybe they are better.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You keep telling yourself that. Noel will be getting 15 minutes a night and his stats will be down. Plus he'll be even closer to being a restricted free agent. A prospective trading partner will say, "You want what for a guy putting up 6 points a night who will command a near max deal in a few months?"

He won't be getting 15 mins a night. Embiid is gonna be getting 15 mins a night. Factor in injuries and impromptu hot starts from teams who didn't expect to play that well who will turn into buyers at the deadline too.

There will be better offers at the trade deadline and if not the same exact ones that are there now.

Well if embiid's getting 15 minutes a night. There are 33 minutes at center left. Divide that by 2...

[rzzzzz]

Does Okafor have any training playing PG?

more like: Is Yi a better prospect than when he crashed out of the league...how many years ago?

maybe he legitimately has developed and will be OK. i'd put my money on Okafor or Noel. BUT, with higher caps, there's the desire by many clubs to gamble on free agency this summer instead of trading an actual decent prospect. i mean, c'mon, there are BS columns out there suggesting that we'd send Jah for Swaggy P. and mainly there is a constant drip out of Boston, picked up by our own crack sports writers, that we can't keep all 3 centers, and should be grateful to take the worst of their logjam at guard. as if. the worst thing BC can do is look like a chump. hey, and Noel has started tweeting back at Embiid. what he may go through the early part of this season is nothing like recovering from surgery a couple of years ago. i mean look at who teams are throwing money at right now? just wait until we're actually into the season.

[CoreyGallagher]

We're going to be playing Okafor and Noel at PF as well, perhaps not as often as last season, but occasionally. Simmons and Saric will likely play some SF as a result. We're going to have to go big again this season - it may get ugly (Grant, Noel, Okafor - anyone?), but that's what we're going to have to do.

[76ciology]

We're going to be playing Okafor and Noel at PF as well, perhaps not as often as last season, but occasionally. Simmons and Saric will likely play some SF as a result. We're going to have to go big again this season.

If you have bigger outlook at things, the way to reach their max upside is for them to play to play lower positions.

For instance, Simmons at PG or SF has better superstar potential than at PF.

Imagine Noel being able to shoot like a PF.

Okafor being able to guard tweeners and space the floor, and still bring that dominant&diverse scoring ability.

For me, sticking at their original position translate to low expectation on player development/upside.

[Sixerscan]

We're going to be playing Okafor and Noel at PF as well, perhaps not as often as last season, but occasionally. Simmons and Saric will likely play some SF as a result. We're going to have to go big again this season - it may get ugly (Grant, Noel, Okafor - anyone?), but that's what we're going to have to do.

What you just laid out is exactly why there's going to be a trade before the season starts.

[the_process]

I would rather play Saric at SG than dump Okafor or Noel for peanuts.

No reason to give in, just announce without saying it that Noel will be matched no matter what. Then when BOS tries to offer sheet him laugh loudly and match.

Then try again to deal one of them.

[Sixerscan]

We're going to be playing Okafor and Noel at PF as well, perhaps not as often as last season, but occasionally. Simmons and Saric will likely play some SF as a result. We're going to have to go big again this season.

If you have bigger outlook at things, the way to reach their max upside is for them to play to play lower positions.

For instance, Simmons at PG or SF has better superstar potential than at PF.

Imagine Noel being able to shoot like a PF.

Okafor being able to guard tweeners and space the floor, and still bring that dominant&diverse scoring ability.

For me, sticking at their original position translate to low expectation on player development/upside.

Attempting this with 4 different people at the same time would be a massive waste of time. You don't just want Simmons to try to figure out how to cover the perimeter you also want him to do it while playing with a center at the 4?

If Simmons is playing the 3 it has to be in a lineup that makes that as easy a transition as possible.

[jbent87]

I would rather play Saric at SG than dump Okafor or Noel for peanuts.

No reason to give in, just announce without saying it that Noel will be matched no matter what. Then when BOS tries to offer sheet him laugh loudly and match.

Then try again to deal one of them.

Eventually though, BC is going to run out of time in trying to do this. That is a possibility at least. The question then becomes what do we do at that point? But I suppose your argument is we haven't arrived there yet. That is fine, but risky when we ultimately do arrive there.

[76ciology]

We're going to be playing Okafor and Noel at PF as well, perhaps not as often as last season, but occasionally. Simmons and Saric will likely play some SF as a result. We're going to have to go big again this season.

If you have bigger outlook at things, the way to reach their max upside is for them to play to play lower positions.

For instance, Simmons at PG or SF has better superstar potential than at PF.

Imagine Noel being able to shoot like a PF.

Okafor being able to guard tweeners and space the floor, and still bring that dominant&diverse scoring ability.

For me, sticking at their original position translate to low expectation on player development/upside.

Attempting this with 4 different people at the same time would be a massive waste of time. You don't just want Simmons to try to figure out how to cover the perimeter you also want him to do it while playing with a center at the 4?

If Simmons is playing the 3 it has to be in a lineup that makes that as easy a transition as possible.

There's definitely going to be adjustment/transition period but they'll eventually figure it out. And if you are not comfortable with it,then you may get away with it by not playing them all at the same time. Play RoCo/Henderson with Jah at PF then have Holmes and Noel with Saric or Simmons at SF.

I project Simmons as player who is quick and athletic that can be a good wing defender. And if that's the case then it would be a big help for Jah to help out in rebounding and providing additional defense in the paint. That's how most teams get away with above average at best defensive bigs like Dirk (marion),LMA(kawhi) or Bosh (lebron).

Jah is not a immobile C like Hibbert or Mahinmi. He's actually quick and skilled enough to finish or dribble/pass the ball in transition.

Overall, I get what you mean about these guys not being great fit in the short term. My outlook is long term when these guys eventually gets accustomed to the pace of the NBA and expands their range. It's not easy to be or to beat the best team in the league, so we got to be creative. Barring any trades and 2017 draft consideration, these guys sliding into a lower position IMO is the best way to get their max upside and for these talent to fit. It's a win-win long term.

[the_process]

I would rather play Saric at SG than dump Okafor or Noel for peanuts.

No reason to give in, just announce without saying it that Noel will be matched no matter what. Then when BOS tries to offer sheet him laugh loudly and match.

Then try again to deal one of them.

Eventually though, BC is going to run out of time in trying to do this. That is a possibility at least. The question then becomes what do we do at that point? But I suppose your argument is we haven't arrived there yet. That is fine, but risky when we ultimately do arrive there.

That time doesn't come until Noel finishes his 2nd contract. That's 5 years from now.

But I agree with the idea that optimally they should be starting to balance the roster now. And I would be fine with trading Okafor for ~75 cents on the dollar to get that balance. Noel, not so much.

[rzzzzz]

Geez, Louise! First it's we're drafting the wrong guys and they're never going to play. Then it's we'll never recover from our losing tradition. Now it's, we got too many good players and they can't develop and they'll be angry. Sigh. No matter what, the process is on track. Remember, the goal was always to acquire a couple really elite players to build around. Like Simmons and Embiid. Okafor is the best down low scorer to come out in years and he will develop. Noel is a fleet chaos creator on the defensive end. The more you hear folks undersell any of them, the more you should realize how much other folks would love to snag them on the cheap. We also got plenty of draft picks coming, and mainly, as Simmons and Embiid get acclimated, other great players are going to want to play with them. So get used to too many good players. Everything else, the Grants and Covingtons, are good assets. We collect assets, we play assets, we trade assets. No big deal. So leave us not get worked up before we even collect the current crop on the court for the first time. Contemplating the future is pleasant. Hyper vigilance and fixation on negative outcomes is anxiety, an Axis I mood disorder.

[LloydFree]

I would rather play Saric at SG than dump Okafor or Noel for peanuts.

No reason to give in, just announce without saying it that Noel will be matched no matter what. Then when BOS tries to offer sheet him laugh loudly and match.

Then try again to deal one of them.

I wouldn't. Having all of those Centers and PF's trying to learn how to play together is a big waste of time. It will do nothing but negatively impact all of the player's development. I'd rather sacrifice one player for the good of everyone else. The key is to sacrifice the right player.

... and I wouldn't trade Noel to Boston except in exchange for an extreme premium.

[the_process]

I would rather play Saric at SG than dump Okafor or Noel for peanuts.

No reason to give in, just announce without saying it that Noel will be matched no matter what. Then when BOS tries to offer sheet him laugh loudly and match.

Then try again to deal one of them.

I wouldn't. Having all of those Centers and PF's trying to learn how to play together is a big waste of time. It will do nothing but negatively impact all of the player's development. I'd rather sacrifice one player for the good of everyone else. The key is to sacrifice the right player.

... and I wouldn't trade Noel to Boston except in exchange for an extreme premium.

And the right player is Jah at a slight discount. But we live in a world where Ainge has sent his hit men in the media to destroy Jah's value. And now to a lot of people, Jah is worth like a 20 pick. Well, that's not close, and if the market is going to be that incorrect, it's not worth dealing with the market. IMO.

[Sixerscan]

If you have bigger outlook at things, the way to reach their max upside is for them to play to play lower positions.

For instance, Simmons at PG or SF has better superstar potential than at PF.

Imagine Noel being able to shoot like a PF.

Okafor being able to guard tweeners and space the floor, and still bring that dominant&diverse scoring ability.

For me, sticking at their original position translate to low expectation on player development/upside.

Attempting this with 4 different people at the same time would be a massive waste of time. You don't just want Simmons to try to figure out how to cover the perimeter you also want him to do it while playing with a center at the 4?

If Simmons is playing the 3 it has to be in a lineup that makes that as easy a transition as possible.

There's definitely going to be adjustment/transition period but they'll eventually figure it out. And if you are not comfortable with it,then you may get away with it by not playing them all at the same time. Play RoCo/Henderson with Jah at PF then have Holmes and Noel with Saric or Simmons at SF.

I project Simmons as player who is quick and athletic that can be a good wing defender. And if that's the case then it would be a big help for Jah to help out in rebounding and providing additional defense in the paint. That's how most teams get away with above average at best defensive bigs like Dirk (marion),LMA(kawhi) or Bosh (lebron).

Jah is not a immobile C like Hibbert or Mahinmi. He's actually quick and skilled enough to finish or dribble/pass the ball in transition.

Overall, I get what you mean about these guys not being great fit in the short term. My outlook is long term when these guys eventually gets accustomed to the pace of the NBA and expands their range. It's not easy to be or to beat the best team in the league, so we got to be creative. Barring any trades and 2017 draft consideration, these guys sliding into a lower position IMO is the best way to get their max upside and for these talent to fit. It's a win-win long term.

So you're back to playing all of the big guys 15-20 minutes a game this year. That isn't happening, there will be a trade.

I understand how great it would be for okafor if Simmons was kawhi or lebron on defense but that's not who he is so...

[LloydFree]

I would rather play Saric at SG than dump Okafor or Noel for peanuts.

No reason to give in, just announce without saying it that Noel will be matched no matter what. Then when BOS tries to offer sheet him laugh loudly and match.

Then try again to deal one of them.

I wouldn't. Having all of those Centers and PF's trying to learn how to play together is a big waste of time. It will do nothing but negatively impact all of the player's development. I'd rather sacrifice one player for the good of everyone else. The key is to sacrifice the right player.

... and I wouldn't trade Noel to Boston except in exchange for an extreme premium.

And the right player is Jah at a slight discount. But we live in a world where Ainge has sent his hit men in the media to destroy Jah's value. And now to a lot of people, Jah is worth like a 20 pick. Well, that's not close, and if the market is going to be that incorrect, it's not worth dealing with the market. IMO.

Ainge didn't destroy his value. His value is what it is, because the rest of the league saw him play. We have to reconcile the idea that although we spent a top 3 pick on him, he isn't going to return that, because he isn't that kind of player. If they can get a top 10-15 pick or equal level player, that is fair value.