SparksFly87 wrote:Nerlens future role should be starting PF alongside Embiid and back up 5. All indications suggest he can be elite in this role. 1. He does clog up lane for Embiid. 2. He is elite steals on perimeter so he can certainly defend 4's. 3. PF size, agility and quickness.
I think this is sixers fans way of trying to rationalize matching brooklyns inevitable max contract offer too noel.
Noel is a good player. Heck, in the next few years he can become very good. But max contracts never work out for teams on players who are not truly elite, much less on a guy who happens to play the same position as our clearly best player.
Sixers fans need to realize that Noel on a max contrat is a net negative. Could we pay him whatever the next few years and still get away with it given our other contracts? Yeah, probably. But the smart move is use the would-be noel money elswhere. Trading Noel for a late first doesnt do it for more. I hold Noel... even if he helps us move from 5th pick to 3rd pick in draft,hes worth it. If we lose him for nothing, it wouldnt be the worst thing in the world.
The process was always about finding guys like embiid who are clear cut max guys, as opposed to very good but not dominant guys like Noel who cost you max money.