5 players who will take advantage of the NBA trade deadline
Nerlens Noel
Power Forward,
It seems as though the Philadelphia 76ers are dragging Nerlens Noel through a rollercoaster ride and I’m sure he just wants it to end. He’s already made it clear this season that he should be playing more minutes, but with three star big men on the team, it’s hard to decide who plays.
The 76ers will be looking to move Noel or Jahill Okafor by the trade deadline. To whom and for whom one of these players goes is still up in the air. As it seems, though, there won’t be three post players fighting for minutes in Philly come Sunday morning.
Noel is only playing 19 minutes per game when healthy. Almost 10 minutes under his career average, it seems as though the 76ers are slowing working him out of the spotlight and into a backup role. Whether this is because they’re looking to deal him or not is unknown. 76ers general manager, Bryan Colangelo, told SirusXM NBA Radio, “The reality says one probably has to go at some point—but only when the deal is right.”
It’s no secret that this cluttered frontcourt is holding back “The Process” in Philadelphia. The 76ers need a sharp shooter and a perimeter guy. Getting rid of one of these two will make room for the other two to grow and give the team a weapon they can actually use.
Next: The 20 best NBA players who could be available at the trade deadline
Whether Noel is one to leave or not, he’ll be taking advantage of the trade deadline. He is making nothing of his career with this team. Unless they trade Okafor and let him rejoin the starting lineup or trade him to a team that will use him, Noel is headed down a dark path.
Realistically, he’s going to start next week with a new role. He’ll finally be given a chance to be a factor for a team, and with his skills, he’ll make the most of it.