NBA Draft 2016: 5 players who could be traded on draft day
By Tom West
5. Nerlens Noel
Trust the Process. Even with Sam Hinkie gone as the mastermind behind it, the 76ers have a host of promising big men at their disposal and the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Jahlil Okafor could have been a more significant Rookie of the Year candidate if he could actually play defense and Karl-Anthony Towns wasn’t so amazing, Joel Embiid is supposedly improving his skill and health, Dario Saric may arrive, and Nerlens Noel has been an active contributor with his athleticism and defense. With that crowd, though, and the option to take a rare, versatile combo forward like Ben Simmons in the draft, someone could easily be on the move.
Shams Charania of The Vertical has reported that in exchange for a package built around Noel, the 76ers are looking to the Atlanta Hawks for Jeff Teague:
"Atlanta and Philadelphia are discussing a possible trade centered on Hawks guard Jeff Teague and 76ers center Nerlens Noel, league sources told The Vertical. The sides have discussed the deal recently, but an agreement isn’t imminent, sources said. For Philadelphia, there has been strong interest over the past year in acquiring a high-end starting point guard."
On top of Noel, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer has reported that Nik Stauskas and/or Robert Covington may be included in the trade.
Ish Smith revolutionized the 76ers (by their low standards) once he joined the team in December, providing energy, buzzing speed, and improved playmaking in the form of 16.3 points and 7.7 assists per 36 minutes. However, an even more proven commodity such as 2014-15 All-Star Jeff Teague is an unsurprising option for them, especially as they’re reaching the point where winning something close to 20 games doesn’t seem completely out the realm of possibility. Bryan Colangelo is ready to make real improvement.
Teague regressed somewhat this season while his Hawks failed to hit the 60-win form they enjoyed in 2015, but he’s still one of the better available point guards in the NBA and can help a struggling franchise like the 76ers. His driving ability and improved three-point shot (a career-high 40 percent this season) can help open up the floor for any shooters the 76ers assemble and could work well as an interchangeable ball handler alongside Simmons.
After the 76ers enjoy that No. 1 pick, seeing Noel combined with one of their later first round picks (24th and 26th overall) is a genuine possibility if he isn’t dealt earlier.
Starting with one 76ers big man leads us nicely onto the next name on this list, which you’ll most likely have heard in recent rumors if you’ve been paying attention.
Next: Jahlil Okafor