Nerlens Noel Available

[otherdave]

Why all the love for Noel on this board the last year?  I don't think his defense has been all that consistent either.  I get the notion that he looks good on paper, but I even reject the popular (but perhaps outdated) idea that you need a rim protector to be an elite team.  With everyone spreading the floor Euro style I think the notion of post protector is less important than it has been the last 10 years, but I am open to hear why I am wrong about both Noel and rim protectors in general.  And I  think he "looks" like a rim protector, more than actually being one.  If you are trading for his potential I would be very careful.

[BudweiserCeltic]

It's doing wonders for their draft pick.

Too bad draft picks don't win you games.

Well, if you apply the context being used is that Philly has little incentive to move Noel purely based on his play particularly if they're playing poorly... so it supported your argument about their asking price. But whatever.

The lack of market value, assumed above, will not motivate Philly to trade Noel for a poo poo platter. I'm sure they'd rather stick with the losing and wait until someone matches their asking price.

[kozlodoev]

Smart AND a Brooklyn pick? This isn't a Cousins thread - I doubt Noel would be worth either (especially a BKN pick), but I would probably trade Smart straight up if forced to make a decision.

I think that's what they'll ask. I don't think Smart is some sort of a hot commodity around the league. What the side observer sees is a one-trick pony who's struggled to stay healthy (or in the lineup, for that matter).

Sure, they'll ask. But that's not a realistic deal. The BKLN pick is the most valuable asset of the 3 being discussed -- Ainge isn't trading it for a role player, if at all (likely highest pick he's ever had) -- even if Noel could be really really good. 

Meanwhile, Colangelo is going to be very sensitive to more "NBA player for a future pick" deals anyway.

Contrary to popular opinion, the Sixers don't have to trade Noel. He's on a rookie contract, and there isn't much stopping them from playing him beind Okafor and Embiid next season.

Noel may end up being a guy being a guy who will give you a double-digit rebound average with 2 blocks and 2 steals while playing great defense from the 5 position. Is this a roleplayer? Sure, to the extent to which he won't carry you on his back. Which doesn't mean he won't be a game-altering presence.

Personally, I'd prefer to give them Smart + Sullinger for Noel and filler with no picks attached, but that's just me.

[wiley]

Wow.  Smart and Sully for Noel.  Wow!
It's as if intangibles don't exist.  It's as if Sully
were David Lee! 

[Eddie20]

Have the people that salivate at the thought of Noel seen him play? The guy hasn't improved at all since he was at Kentucky. The only thing he's been able to accomplish is gain some weight. Same Perk level offensive game, same awful hands, same player that gives up position inside, same guy that can't hit free throws, same person that struggles rebounding in traffic.

[kozlodoev]

Wow.  Smart and Sully for Noel.  Wow!
It's as if intangibles don't exist.  It's as if Sully
were David Lee!

I'd take great talent and average intangibles over average talent and great intangibles any day.

[otherdave]

Have the people that salivate at the thought of Noel seen him play? The guy hasn't improved at all since he was at Kentucky. The only thing he's been able to accomplish is gain some weight. Same Perk level offensive game, same awful hands, same player that gives up position inside, same guy that can't hit free throws, same person that struggles rebounding in traffic.

Thank you!  This is exactly what I see too.  There is no way I would trade Smart straight up for Noel.

[LilRip]

It would be great to land Nerlens. Hopefully without giving up the BKN picks or Smart.

Here's a thought: would you guys trade IT4+2nd rounders for Noel+filler+2nd rounders?

[kozlodoev]

Have the people that salivate at the thought of Noel seen him play? The guy hasn't improved at all since he was at Kentucky. The only thing he's been able to accomplish is gain some weight. Same Perk level offensive game, same awful hands, same player that gives up position inside, same guy that can't hit free throws, same person that struggles rebounding in traffic.

Thank you!  This is exactly what I see too.  There is no way I would trade Smart straight up for Noel.

Are you not watching Smart, then? Still the same guy who can't hit a jump shot, or take anyone off the dribble?

[ssspence]

Smart AND a Brooklyn pick? This isn't a Cousins thread - I doubt Noel would be worth either (especially a BKN pick), but I would probably trade Smart straight up if forced to make a decision.

I think that's what they'll ask. I don't think Smart is some sort of a hot commodity around the league. What the side observer sees is a one-trick pony who's struggled to stay healthy (or in the lineup, for that matter).

Sure, they'll ask. But that's not a realistic deal. The BKLN pick is the most valuable asset of the 3 being discussed -- Ainge isn't trading it for a role player, if at all (likely highest pick he's ever had) -- even if Noel could be really really good. 

Meanwhile, Colangelo is going to be very sensitive to more "NBA player for a future pick" deals anyway.

Contrary to popular opinion, the Sixers don't have to trade Noel. He's on a rookie contract, and there isn't much stopping them from playing him beind Okafor and Embiid next season.

Noel may end up being a guy being a guy who will give you a double-digit rebound average with 2 blocks and 2 steals while playing great defense from the 5 position. Is this a roleplayer? Sure, to the extent to which he won't carry you on his back. Which doesn't mean he won't be a game-altering presence.

Personally, I'd prefer to give them Smart + Sullinger for Noel and filler with no picks attached, but that's just me.

Have to? Course not. But can we agree that their team (3 top 5 picks who play center, and nothing else) is not structured for success? So on the one hand, they could use some roster balance -- particularly in a perimeter oriented league -- and on the other, the longer they play 1-2 of those guys out of position, the more complicated their respective trade value gets.

Noel's trade value is probably off a little bit from the summer. And it's not likely to improve while the Sixers are all-Okafor, all-the-time.

Meanwhile, opposing GMs presumably smell blood seeing Colangelo hired. They know the Sixers will need to trade one of Noel or Okafor eventually if he's to do his job. And it's hard to imagine Colangelo choosing to keep Noel over Okafor, all things considered.

[wiley]

Wow.  Smart and Sully for Noel.  Wow!
It's as if intangibles don't exist.  It's as if Sully
were David Lee!

I'd take great talent and average intangibles over average talent and great intangibles any day.

Smart is a great talent.  He'll figure out how to be more efficient on offense.
Danny would move him in the right deal but this ain't it
By miles...

[kozlodoev]

Wow.  Smart and Sully for Noel.  Wow!
It's as if intangibles don't exist.  It's as if Sully
were David Lee!

I'd take great talent and average intangibles over average talent and great intangibles any day.

Smart is a great talent.  He'll figure out how to be more efficient on offense.
Danny would move him in the right deal but this ain't it
By miles...

Yes, I got the point. Everyone here thinks Smart will "figure it out", and Noel will be the same player for the balance of his career. Or at least that's what it looks like.

[ssspence]

It would be great to land Nerlens. Hopefully without giving up the BKN picks or Smart.

Here's a thought: would you guys trade IT4+2nd rounders for Noel+filler+2nd rounders?

Probably not. IT is almost literally the only guy on the team who can dribble. At the very least, he's the only guy who can create his own shot / one for others consistently. Swapping him out and Noel in would be pretty painful from an offensive perspective.

[Eddie20]

Have the people that salivate at the thought of Noel seen him play? The guy hasn't improved at all since he was at Kentucky. The only thing he's been able to accomplish is gain some weight. Same Perk level offensive game, same awful hands, same player that gives up position inside, same guy that can't hit free throws, same person that struggles rebounding in traffic.

Thank you!  This is exactly what I see too.  There is no way I would trade Smart straight up for Noel.

Are you not watching Smart, then? Still the same guy who can't hit a jump shot, or take anyone off the dribble?

Smart is a clutch player who has stepped up in big games and can dominate a game defensively. Given the modern day NBA, where small ball runs rampant and non-offensive bigs (like Noel) are on the bench watching during crunch time, I hold a perimeter defender like Smart in higher demand.

Quick, name the last big game Noel has played in? Senior year of HS, maybe?

[csfansince60s]

Have the people that salivate at the thought of Noel seen him play? The guy hasn't improved at all since he was at Kentucky. The only thing he's been able to accomplish is gain some weight. Same Perk level offensive game, same awful hands, same player that gives up position inside, same guy that can't hit free throws, same person that struggles rebounding in traffic.

Thank you!  This is exactly what I see too.  There is no way I would trade Smart straight up for Noel.

Are you not watching Smart, then? Still the same guy who can't hit a jump shot, or take anyone off the dribble?

......or can't stay healthy.

I love the guy, but his kamikaze style that makes him great also exposes him to long periods of unavailability .