Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel is on the trade block. The Cleveland Cavaliers still need a true center.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a big problem. They have no real bigs. The Philadelphia 76ers have a big problem too. They have three centers and two power forwards who all could start. To solve both of their problems, the teams should make a trade centered around Nerlens Noel.
Though the league is transitioning to more perimeter-oriented play, big men aren’t going out of style. Players don’t attack the rim any less frequently, they just shoot less from mid-range. The Cavaliers, who have no true center on the roster, aren’t clueless as to this fact but haven’t found themselves in a dream trade scenario either.
However, Philadelphia 76ers president and general manager Bryan Colangelo failed to trade one of their big men in a crowded backcourt. Coach Brett Brown then mentioned Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid‘s desire to play together, in a move that further diminished Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel’s trade value.
Brown on Simmons, Embiid: "There's already a connection [Montverde]. I know those 2 are very much looking forward to playing w/ each other."
— brianseltzer (@brianseltzer) July 18, 2016
Though Okafor has been rumored to be a trade target of a few notable teams, Noel is the player the Cavaliers should covet. He provides the team with the tangibles they need defensively and the balance they need on the roster. More importantly, Noel shouldn’t be too high of a price for the Cavaliers.
Next: Philadelphia 76ers Receive