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

[spikeslovechild]

http://www.csnphilly.com/philadelphia-76ers/nerlens-noel-jahlil-okafor-have-earn-minutes-brown-says

In a more forward outlook news.

“Personally, I don’t care if he ever makes a jumpshot for the rest of his life,” Brown said. “I mean that. That’s not how his bread is buttered.”

Brown referenced Dikembe Mutombo and Bismack Biyombo, who scored a hefty contract after an impressive defensive showing in the playoffs, as players with similar roles.

“Nerlens has got elite gifts,” Brown said. “He is as athletic and quick off the floor and quick rim to rim as anyone that I’ve coached, as any big man in the league. … Let’s take what he does and tap into that. … Taking all those things that I just said and making them better, making them A-plus elite, A-plus reliable, A-plus consistent, A-plus accepted-this-is-my-role. Do your job and we will help you. The league will reward that, the 76ers will reward that, he will be rewarded for playing that like.”

I need to believe that Brett believes this. That Brett will stop asking him to create offense from the high post and to shoot elbow jumpers that lower the whole team's efficiency. That he will ask him to anchor the defense and be the dive man on PNR's, block shots and get steals, run the floor with Simmons and Saric pushing. That the only time Noel guards the perimeter is on a switch.

I agree with Brown wanting him to stop shooting jumpers but I don't think the league will reward that. He becomes basically a 6-7 PPG player in that case and with the reduced minutes this season maybe a 4-5 PPG player. Ain't noone giving that max money.

Especially when he doesn't rebound. Maybe, Simmons does the heavy lifting and creates a ton of opportunities for Noel around the basket I dunno but I doubt his agent is giving him the same advice.

[Sixerscan]

Well the reason why he doesn't want him to take jump shots is because he was bad at them. He made 28 shots outside the paint last year. Might change the number of shots he gets, but the number of shots he makes (adjusted for minutes played of course) shouldn't change very much.

[the_process]

I agree with Brown wanting him to stop shooting jumpers but I don't think the league will reward that. He becomes basically a 6-7 PPG player in that case and with the reduced minutes this season maybe a 4-5 PPG player. Ain't noone giving that max money.

Especially when he doesn't rebound. Maybe, Simmons does the heavy lifting and creates a ton of opportunities for Noel around the basket I dunno but I doubt his agent is giving him the same advice.

Did you see what Biyombo just signed for? And he can't play offense at all. Noel has been used in a very inefficient way on offense the past two years; and fixing that, even with less touches, will increase his value. Anyway, the Sixers ought to be offering him a 4-88 extension right now as it is. He probably won't take it but it sets a baseline for future negotiations and lets Noel know you want him around. He cannot be allowed to sign his QO or to let walk. Far too valuable.

[Worm122]

Wolves lost Nikola Pekovic and KG now is the right time for a trade for Dunn or Lavine

[Wilfried]

Wolves lost Nikola Pekovic and KG now is the right time for a trade for Dunn or Lavine

They have a lot of (different types of) big man (Aldrich, Dieng, Towns, Hill, Payne, Bjelica, ...)

They are just fine

[LloydFree]

Wolves lost Nikola Pekovic and KG now is the right time for a trade for Dunn or Lavine

They have a lot of (different types of) big man (Aldrich, Dieng, Towns, Hill, Payne, Bjelica, ...)

They are just fine

I agree. There is no match with Minnesota. Dieng and Aldrich are fine. And they're not giving up Dunn for either player anyway.

[the_process]

I still say Okafor to Phoenix for Knight and the 2018 Miami 1st is a mutually beneficial trade.

They can then flip Len to Houston for KJ and a pick.

[Ericb5]

I still say Okafor to Phoenix for Knight and the 2018 Miami 1st is a mutually beneficial trade.

They can then flip Len to Houston for KJ and a pick.

That Phoenix deal would work for me.

[Kolkmania]

I still say Okafor to Phoenix for Knight and the 2018 Miami 1st is a mutually beneficial trade.

They can then flip Len to Houston for KJ and a pick.

But is Knight the ~5/10 wins worth? Adding guys like him to the roster will help the team win some crucial games and I really like this year's draft. Knight is on a long and relative cheap contract though, so he might be a part of the team in better years. I'd rather look at these kind of trades at the trade deadline when the impact of these valuable additions are minimized.

However, I doubt Phoenix likes this deal. They probably think Len is their potential starting center and they still have Chandler, both bad fits with Okafor. Also the 2018 Miami pick might be extremely valuable with a declining Dragic, who knows what Whiteside does in the next few years and Bosh already gone.

If Booker continues to develop and earns his starting spot at SG one of Bledsoe and Knight could be available. Personally I'm quite high on Bledsoe, love him on the defensive end.

[the_process]

I still say Okafor to Phoenix for Knight and the 2018 Miami 1st is a mutually beneficial trade.

They can then flip Len to Houston for KJ and a pick.

But is Knight the ~5/10 wins worth? Adding guys like him to the roster will help the team win some crucial games and I really like this year's draft. Knight is on a long and relative cheap contract though, so he might be a part of the team in better years. I'd rather look at these kind of trades at the trade deadline when the impact of these valuable additions are minimized.

However, I doubt Phoenix likes this deal. They probably think Len is their potential starting center and they still have Chandler, both bad fits with Okafor. Also the 2018 Miami pick might be extremely valuable with a declining Dragic, who knows what Whiteside does in the next few years and Bosh already gone.

If Booker continues to develop and earns his starting spot at SG one of Bledsoe and Knight could be available. Personally I'm quite high on Bledsoe, love him on the defensive end.

Okafor fits great with Bender and Chriss, and Chandler should be a backup at this point. Len has been pretty bad up to now, so that even Okafor is a big upgrade for them. If the Sixers get a little better, they still have the Kings pick swap. It works out all around IMO.

[LloydFree]

I still say Okafor to Phoenix for Knight and the 2018 Miami 1st is a mutually beneficial trade.

They can then flip Len to Houston for KJ and a pick.

If the 76ers could somehow hypnotize Phoenix into giving the Miami unprotected 2018 pick for Okafor, you take it and run.

[Ericb5]

I still say Okafor to Phoenix for Knight and the 2018 Miami 1st is a mutually beneficial trade.

They can then flip Len to Houston for KJ and a pick.

That Phoenix deal would work for me.

Actually, I misread your post. I would do that deal for Noel, but not for Okafor, unless the Miami 2018 pick is unprotected.

[spikeslovechild]

I think one of the telling parts of the article of Noels was the shade thrown at Hinkie.

Embiid and Okafor both are trust the process people.

[Kolkmania]

I still say Okafor to Phoenix for Knight and the 2018 Miami 1st is a mutually beneficial trade.

They can then flip Len to Houston for KJ and a pick.

But is Knight the ~5/10 wins worth? Adding guys like him to the roster will help the team win some crucial games and I really like this year's draft. Knight is on a long and relative cheap contract though, so he might be a part of the team in better years. I'd rather look at these kind of trades at the trade deadline when the impact of these valuable additions are minimized.

However, I doubt Phoenix likes this deal. They probably think Len is their potential starting center and they still have Chandler, both bad fits with Okafor. Also the 2018 Miami pick might be extremely valuable with a declining Dragic, who knows what Whiteside does in the next few years and Bosh already gone.

If Booker continues to develop and earns his starting spot at SG one of Bledsoe and Knight could be available. Personally I'm quite high on Bledsoe, love him on the defensive end.

Okafor fits great with Bender and Chriss, and Chandler should be a backup at this point. Len has been pretty bad up to now, so that even Okafor is a big upgrade for them. If the Sixers get a little better, they still have the Kings pick swap. It works out all around IMO.

Agree about the potential fit with those two guys, but unless the Suns are going in full tank mode Okafor won't play many minutes with the rookies. I don't think they are close to NBA-ready. I know about the Kings swap, but the difference between the e.g. 2nd pick and 8th pick could be franchise changing. If I have to choose between adding a player like Fultz and reducing Okafor's value even further and adding Knight and picking a player like Fox, I would choose the first option. I prefer quality to quantity.

[spikeslovechild]

I agree with Brown wanting him to stop shooting jumpers but I don't think the league will reward that. He becomes basically a 6-7 PPG player in that case and with the reduced minutes this season maybe a 4-5 PPG player. Ain't noone giving that max money.

Especially when he doesn't rebound. Maybe, Simmons does the heavy lifting and creates a ton of opportunities for Noel around the basket I dunno but I doubt his agent is giving him the same advice.

Did you see what Biyombo just signed for? And he can't play offense at all. Noel has been used in a very inefficient way on offense the past two years; and fixing that, even with less touches, will increase his value. Anyway, the Sixers ought to be offering him a 4-88 extension right now as it is. He probably won't take it but it sets a baseline for future negotiations and lets Noel know you want him around. He cannot be allowed to sign his QO or to let walk. Far too valuable.

Who cares what Biyombo got paid. Noel A) Doesn't want to be here to backup B) Biyombo deal is ridiculous for a big who will only play 20 or so minutes like Biyombo did in TOR

You can't win with a player like Noel on the team. It's time.

[Kolkmania]

I agree with Brown wanting him to stop shooting jumpers but I don't think the league will reward that. He becomes basically a 6-7 PPG player in that case and with the reduced minutes this season maybe a 4-5 PPG player. Ain't noone giving that max money.

Especially when he doesn't rebound. Maybe, Simmons does the heavy lifting and creates a ton of opportunities for Noel around the basket I dunno but I doubt his agent is giving him the same advice.

Did you see what Biyombo just signed for? And he can't play offense at all. Noel has been used in a very inefficient way on offense the past two years; and fixing that, even with less touches, will increase his value. Anyway, the Sixers ought to be offering him a 4-88 extension right now as it is. He probably won't take it but it sets a baseline for future negotiations and lets Noel know you want him around. He cannot be allowed to sign his QO or to let walk. Far too valuable.

Who cares what Biyombo got paid. Noel A) Doesn't want to be here to backup B) Biyombo deal is ridiculous for a big who will only play 20 or so minutes like Biyombo did in TOR

You can't win with a player like Noel on the team. It's time.

A player like Tristan Thompson? Not exactly the same since TT is the better (offensive) rebounder, but it's crazy to state that a team can't win with a defensive minded C. I think it's the other way around, much easier to build around Nerlens than Jahlil (not saying that I would trade Okafor).

[Ericb5]

I'll say this about Noel. I don't begrudge him for his comments or feelings at all. He is clearly an intelligent and thoughtful guy, and it is hard to argue with his logic.

I would hope that BC is in his ear though, and promises him that he or Okafor will be traded by the deadline, if Embiid is healthy, and that Noel would accept that. If we have to eat it on value due to the logjam then the trade deadline is the time to cut bait.

I would happily toss the return from an Okafor/Noel trade into the volcano to appease the basketball gods in exchange for a healthy Embiid.

[rzzzzz]

again, i want to consider the source of this sudden and untimely loss of cool. but if Nerlens wasn't overtly encouraged into these comments, then a healthy Embiid would automatically eliminate him from the team's future. if he can play, Embiid is our franchise center. Okafor could well end up getting traded, but at least he's talking up team first, which suggests he's at least willing to try and develop into playing a role that contributes to this particular roster. I wish Nerlens would do the same.

[the_process]

You can't win with an offense only player like Okafor on the team. It's time.

Fixed that for you.

I would happily toss the return from an Okafor/Noel trade into the volcano to appease the basketball gods in exchange for a healthy Embiid.

This we should all be in agreement with.

[spikeslovechild]

I'll say this about Noel. I don't begrudge him for his comments or feelings at all. He is clearly an intelligent and thoughtful guy, and it is hard to argue with his logic.

I would hope that BC is in his ear though, and promises him that he or Okafor will be traded by the deadline, if Embiid is healthy, and that Noel would accept that. If we have to eat it on value due to the logjam then the trade deadline is the time to cut bait.

I would happily toss the return from an Okafor/Noel trade into the volcano to appease the basketball gods in exchange for a healthy Embiid.

I do. I mean I can't tell him how to feel. Only how I'd like him to feel. I'd like to see him see the competition as fuel to get better not be traded because minutes will come easier to him.

I'd like to see him add a bunch of weight in the offseason. I'd like to see him go to USA Basketball. Like Barkley said there was no reason for him not to be there. I'd like for him to hit the court to work on his free throw shooting and midrange game. Instead of going on vacation and not being seen anywhere.

He also didn't need to take shots at Hinkie. When the rest of the team including embiid and okafor are talking trust the process. Frankly he needs to just grow up and get over himself. The cultists who worship him as some sort of FlatTopGod have convinced him he's much better then what he is. He ain't all that. We can find a def center in free agency that can do 80% of what he does for 8-10 million.