NBA Trade Rumors: Mavericks acquire Nerlens Noel from 76ers
The Dallas Mavericks have reportedly acquired Nerlens Noel from the Philadelphia 76ers for Andrew Bogut, Justin Anderson, and a conditional first round pick.
The process is still happening in Philadelphia. While the Philadelphia 76ers are making a lot of improvements, they’ve still got some rebuilding to do. The next domino to fall in their plan? Nerlens Noel. With too many big men, he was always seen as the odd man out. The 76ers have reportedly agreed to send him to the Dallas Mavericks for Andrew Bogut, Justin Anderson, and a conditional first round pick.
Andrew Bogut and Justin Anderson and conditional first-round pick will be traded from Dallas to Philadelphia for Nerlens Noel, sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 23, 2017
This likely means the 76ers are sticking with their big man core of Jahlil Okafor and Joel Embiid. An Okafor trade is still possible, but at the very least, now Philly has solved their logjam at center and power forward. The first round pick is protected 1-18, according to Marc Stein.
Dallas gets one of the best defensive big men in the game. Noel is averaging 7.6 rebounds per game and 1.6 blocks per game during his career. His injury history will also be a concern, but when he’s on the court, he’s one of the best rim protectors around. This also sheds them of the Andrew Bogut mistake. He’s only averaging 22 minutes per game this season and has been more of a bench player for the Mavericks.
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The 76ers potentially add yet another first round pick. Anderson is the crown jewel of this trade for Philly. They get a promising young small forward who was the first round pick of the Mavericks in the 2015 NBA Draft.
In 13.9 minutes per game, Anderson is doing a bit of damage offensively with 6.5 points per game. Philadelphia should be a great fit for him, as he should get much more playing time there.