NBA Season Preview: Picks and projections

What team does Nerlens Noel play for at the end of this season?

Buhler: It’d be pretty cool to see him block shots for Patrick Ewing in Charlotte, right?

Williams: Any answer I have comes with zero confidence, but I think staying on the Sixers is the most likely option simply because I’m not sure anyone is giving Philly the value they’ll want in return.

Yeung: Keep him in Philly! Jahlil Okafor just doesn’t fit with this team, which was constructed with too little interest fit-wise to provide him the kind of roster accommodations he needs. If Okafor were to work in Philly, he’d need a really good passing game (he had some of it in college, showed none of it last year) and high-post game, but even then I much prefer the idea of supersized Point Simmons-Saric-Noel lineups trucking inside and kicking the ball around.

Masterson: I’m finding it increasingly difficult to believe that Jahlil Okafor isn’t the odd man out in Philly; being that Noel is a functionally productive basketball player right now, the Sixers could stand to keep him around for a little while.

Rossman-Reich: I think the Sixers end up keeping Noel over Jahlil Okafor. Either that, or they do not find a taker for him for the offer they want. Philadelphia is in no hurry here.

Barnewall: Hang on, let me just fire up 2K and randomize three teams…well congrats Noel you’re on the Nets.

Rowell: I see a lot of Nerlens > Okafor talk. I agree but I think that the most tradeable player and asset for the Sixers is Nerlens. I can see a team like Lakers who have a lot of assets and could use a younger talent in the frontcourt trying to make a move for Nerlens.

Israeli: Noel plays defense, and should be easier to move if the choice is between him and Okafor. As far as who can use his services, the Celtics love athleticism and defense and are currently starting Amir Johnson at power forward. And the Sixers love stockpiling draft picks. So there’s that.