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NBA Rumors: 5 draft day trades New Orleans Pelicans should make

By Parker Hurley

Mar 3, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks against the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks against the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA: New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers
NBA: New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers /

5. Nerlens Noel

Most of the world seems to agree that Ben Simmons will be the number one overall pick heading to Philadelphia. The whole world also seems to agree that it would be tough to have Noel, Jahlil Okafor and the potential of Joel Embiid and Dario Saric as well as Simmons share the same front court. Simmons would have to be exclusively a small forward with that much size in the rotation. It may be able to work, but it would be easier to trade one of these assets for a potential guard or shooter.

If a guard like Jamal Murray, or Buddy Hield were on the board at number six the Sixers would probably be antsy to jump on one of those. You could probably get them in a compromising mood and swap the 40th pick for the Sixers 26th overall pick as well as grabbing Noel for the number six pick.

With adding Noel, you get a player two years closer to free agent, but you have a player with two years to grow with Anthony Davis. He has already proven he is an NBA defender, and Davis should be able to help him open things up and develop his offensive game. Two Kentucky kids who did not play together can now grow as one of the most feared front courts in New Orleans.

It also gives them the ability to move Alexis Ajinca or Omer Asik, and they may have some value due to their size. It could be a step in the right direction in building a completely different team around Davis.

Next: D'Angelo Russell

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