Has Nerlens Noel been traded to Boston?
By Dylan Hughes
![Mar 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) grabs a rebound during the first quarter of the game against he Boston Celtics at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports Mar 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) grabs a rebound during the first quarter of the game against he Boston Celtics at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/55509d23aa949dc1bfa4e7068015cab6c3aff3f934da414663a65a51370b1e5e.jpg)
After months of swirling rumors about Nerlens Noel possibly going to the Boston Celtics, his Twitter may be showing a move is coming to fruition
Ever since Jahlil Okafor was drafted No. 3 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2015, many wondered whether one of Okafor, Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid would be moved in a trade.
Over a year later, all three still remain in Philly. However, that may be changing soon.
Dating back to late May, thanks to a report from ESPN’s Marc Stein and Chad Ford, rumors have swirled that the Sixers may be finally ready to move on from one or more of their big men.
An excerpt from that report:
"In an interview with ESPN Radio’s Russillo and Kanell earlier this month, Sixers coach Brett Brown hinted at the club’s desire to be active.“Think about these types of resources,” Brown said during the interview. “We have the first pick. We have the 24th and 26th pick. On our current roster, we have Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor, Jerami Grant [and] Robert Covington. We had a [2014] draft class that effectively redshirted in Joel Embiid and Dario Saric."
As you can tell, that statement is dated as it came before the draft. But the problem still remains. The Sixers have way too many talented big man for one roster, and now have No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons to add to head coach Brett Brown’s list above.
Boston has plenty of assets to pull off a big move and wants to add to their young core to become more competitive. They may be looking to pair free agent signing Al Horford with a young, athletic big man that can run the floor and defend the rim.
Someone like Nerlens Noel.
Noel, who was born in Massachusetts, tweeted out his love for Boston.
I'm blessed to be from Boston. Love my city.
— Nerlens Noel (@NerlensNoel3) August 11, 2016
He also–coincidentally, perhaps–removed his Twitter avatar and header, which contained him in his Sixers jersey.
This doesn’t necessarily prove he is on the move, and his Twitter bio does still say he is a Sixer, but it is hard not to wonder if he is trying to tell us something.