Rumor - Nerlens Noel-Jeff Teague trade being talked about

[Quetzalcoatl]

So #3, #16 and Bradley, Young and Jerebko for Butler, then we sign Horford.  Then we add lotto picks from Brooklyn in 17 and 18.

 

[LarBrd33]

I don't know about Horford but I think that would mean that Okafor is not an option to the Cs.

It might make sense to trade both of them.  If Embiid's going to play (they seem cautiously optimistic) he's their center of the future.  Simmons/Saric are PF's.   If they can move Noel for Teague and then trade Okafor for a package built around the #3 pick, they could take a shooting guard with the pick and have a lineup that starts to make a lot more sense.  I mean, heck... if they love Ingram they could just take him 1st, draft someone like Hield or Murray with #3, and trot out a lineup of:

PG - Teague
SG - Hield
SF - Ingram
PF - Saric
C - Embiid

But forgetting Boston for a moment...  Teague for Noel makes logical sense.  I've been saying for a while that it makes less sense for Philly to trade one of their bigs for a crap-shoot of a draft pick.  It would seem to me they'd be far more interested in trading one of the great big man prospects for a more established talent.  I floated the idea of trading Noel or Okafor for one of the Suns guards (Knight or Bledsoe), but Teague totally works.  An all-star level PG still only 27 years old - he'd be a huge help to them as they start to form a coherent team out of their mountain of assets.

[MBunge]

Here's a link:

http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2016/6/2/11847302/atlanta-hawks-trade-rumor-jeff-teague-nerlens-noel-philadelphia-76ers

Atlanta and Philadelphia are discussing a deal centered on a Jeff Teague and Nerlens Noel package, league sources tell The Vertical.

Sounds like there would be more moving parts to this. PHI trading Noel for a PG on an expiring contract seems like a pretty light return.

Noel will command big money next season as this is the final year on his rookie contract, so it's a moot point.

Trading a guy who was supposed to be a foundational piece of the inevitable Philly dynasty for a 27-year-old PG who's career highs are 16.5 points and 7.2 assists and has only one more year on his deal is pretty much what Hinkie fans have been dreading.

Teague would certainly make Philly a lot better next season, but "a lot better" might mean 22 wins.

Mike

[LarBrd33]

Here's a link:

http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2016/6/2/11847302/atlanta-hawks-trade-rumor-jeff-teague-nerlens-noel-philadelphia-76ers

Atlanta and Philadelphia are discussing a deal centered on a Jeff Teague and Nerlens Noel package, league sources tell The Vertical.

Sounds like there would be more moving parts to this. PHI trading Noel for a PG on an expiring contract seems like a pretty light return.

Noel will command big money next season as this is the final year on his rookie contract, so it's a moot point.

Trading a guy who was supposed to be a foundational piece of the inevitable Philly dynasty for a 27-year-old PG who's career highs are 16.5 points and 7.2 assists and has only one more year on his deal is pretty much what Hinkie fans have been dreading.

On the flip side, trading him for an all-star level PG like Teague basically confirms every single freakin thing Philly sympathizers have been saying all along.  Those assets are majorly valuable.  A player like Jeff Teague doesn't just fall from the sky. 

The debate has been raging for over a year with some saying "those guys are trash blah blah blah" and assuming Philly was stuck with him.  Then you had people like myself saying "they suck by design... at any point they could flip one of those bigs for a player that could provide roster balance and help them win".   Noel for Teague, if it happened, would absolutely prove that point.   Jeff Teague is in his prime and a year removed from making the all-star team.  If that's the trade value of Noel... the Philly haters will be eating some crow.

[Lucky17]

Here's a link:

http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2016/6/2/11847302/atlanta-hawks-trade-rumor-jeff-teague-nerlens-noel-philadelphia-76ers

Atlanta and Philadelphia are discussing a deal centered on a Jeff Teague and Nerlens Noel package, league sources tell The Vertical.

Sounds like there would be more moving parts to this. PHI trading Noel for a PG on an expiring contract seems like a pretty light return.

Noel will command big money next season as this is the final year on his rookie contract, so it's a moot point.

Trading a guy who was supposed to be a foundational piece of the inevitable Philly dynasty for a 27-year-old PG who's career highs are 16.5 points and 7.2 assists and has only one more year on his deal is pretty much what Hinkie fans have been dreading.

Teague would certainly make Philly a lot better next season, but "a lot better" might mean 22 wins.

Mike

Yeah, and Teague will be gone the following year. No way he stays in PHI.

Hopefully, PHI gets more than just the one-year rental in return for Noel.

[saltlover]

Here's a link:

http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2016/6/2/11847302/atlanta-hawks-trade-rumor-jeff-teague-nerlens-noel-philadelphia-76ers

Atlanta and Philadelphia are discussing a deal centered on a Jeff Teague and Nerlens Noel package, league sources tell The Vertical.

Sounds like there would be more moving parts to this. PHI trading Noel for a PG on an expiring contract seems like a pretty light return.

Noel will command big money next season as this is the final year on his rookie contract, so it's a moot point.

Trading a guy who was supposed to be a foundational piece of the inevitable Philly dynasty for a 27-year-old PG who's career highs are 16.5 points and 7.2 assists and has only one more year on his deal is pretty much what Hinkie fans have been dreading.

Teague would certainly make Philly a lot better next season, but "a lot better" might mean 22 wins.

Mike

If Teague is engaged and likes Philly, it would be a fine trade for them.  That team needs a veteran PG who can actually play.  If Philly wants to start getting free agents soon, they need someone like Teague there to sell other players on the situation. Right now anyone who goes to Philly would do it only for the money.  And if a player is only in it for the money, you're probably not going to get what you paid for.

[LarBrd33]

Here's a link:

http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2016/6/2/11847302/atlanta-hawks-trade-rumor-jeff-teague-nerlens-noel-philadelphia-76ers

Atlanta and Philadelphia are discussing a deal centered on a Jeff Teague and Nerlens Noel package, league sources tell The Vertical.

Sounds like there would be more moving parts to this. PHI trading Noel for a PG on an expiring contract seems like a pretty light return.

Noel will command big money next season as this is the final year on his rookie contract, so it's a moot point.

Trading a guy who was supposed to be a foundational piece of the inevitable Philly dynasty for a 27-year-old PG who's career highs are 16.5 points and 7.2 assists and has only one more year on his deal is pretty much what Hinkie fans have been dreading.

Teague would certainly make Philly a lot better next season, but "a lot better" might mean 22 wins.

Mike

If Teague is engaged and likes Philly, it would be a fine trade for them.  That team needs a veteran PG who can actually play.  If Philly wants to start getting free agents soon, they need someone like Teague there to sell other players on the situation. Right now anyone who goes to Philly would do it only for the money.  And if a player is only in it for the money, you're probably not going to get what you paid for.

Lol... the reaction to this rumor is predictably comical.  We were under the impression that Marcus Smart, a guy who averages like 8 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals with 34%/26%/60% shooting was the max trade value for Noel.   The way some painted the picture of Noel's trade value, they'd be lucky to get Terry Rozier or the #16 pick for him.

Funny that the rumor says they might get Teague and the reaction is that it's a bad trade for Philly.  Like, really really funny.   

Teague is in his prime, was the starting PG for a 60 win Hawks team, was the starting PG for a team that made quick work of the Celtics in the first round... and while he averaged a mere 28.5 minutes sharing minutes with Shroeder, he put up per-36 numbers of 20 points, 7.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals with 45%/40%/84% shooting. 

If that's what Noel gets them, considering that they traded oft-injured 1-time all-star Jrue Holiday to land Noel + Saric... that's a decent move for a Philly team that has succeeded in tanking and is now ready to start putting together a ball club. 

If they trade Noel for Teague, then trade Okafor an equally quality SG or SF (someone like Jimmy Butler), Philly could actually start to become attractive to free agents. 

[GratefulCs]

Here's a link:

http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2016/6/2/11847302/atlanta-hawks-trade-rumor-jeff-teague-nerlens-noel-philadelphia-76ers

Atlanta and Philadelphia are discussing a deal centered on a Jeff Teague and Nerlens Noel package, league sources tell The Vertical.

Sounds like there would be more moving parts to this. PHI trading Noel for a PG on an expiring contract seems like a pretty light return.

Noel will command big money next season as this is the final year on his rookie contract, so it's a moot point.

Trading a guy who was supposed to be a foundational piece of the inevitable Philly dynasty for a 27-year-old PG who's career highs are 16.5 points and 7.2 assists and has only one more year on his deal is pretty much what Hinkie fans have been dreading.

Teague would certainly make Philly a lot better next season, but "a lot better" might mean 22 wins.

Mike

If Teague is engaged and likes Philly, it would be a fine trade for them.  That team needs a veteran PG who can actually play.  If Philly wants to start getting free agents soon, they need someone like Teague there to sell other players on the situation. Right now anyone who goes to Philly would do it only for the money.  And if a player is only in it for the money, you're probably not going to get what you paid for.

Lol... the reaction to this rumor is predictably comical.  We were under the impression that Marcus Smart, a guy who averages like 8 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals with 34%/26%/60% shooting was the max trade value for Noel.   The way some painted the picture of Noel's trade value, they'd be lucky to get Terry Rozier or the #16 pick for him.

Funny that the rumor says they might get Teague and the reaction is that it's a bad trade for Philly.  Like, really really funny.   

Teague is in his prime, was the starting PG for a 60 win Hawks team, was the starting PG for a team that made quick work of the Celtics in the first round... and while he averaged a mere 28.5 minutes sharing minutes with Shroeder, he put up per-36 numbers of 20 points, 7.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals with 45%/40%/84% shooting. 

If that's what Noel gets them, considering that they traded oft-injured 1-time all-star Jrue Holiday to land Noel + Saric... that's a decent move for a Philly team that has succeeded in tanking and is now ready to start putting together a ball club. 

If they trade Noel for Teague, then trade Okafor an equally quality SG or SF (someone like Jimmy Butler), Philly could actually start to become attractive to free agents.

i mean, that's not crazy good trade value (with regards to noel)

Teague is really good, but he put up 16 and 6 in a really good system with good shooters around him

Maybe he'll score more with philly

And he could easily walk. It's not like he's locked up for 3 years

If he walks, it's a terrible trade for them

If not, it's a solid move in the right direction

[EvilEmpire]

No reason no dump Korver his contract is salary friendly for 2016-2017 at 5.6mil.

I dont think this trade actually means that Hortford is not going to be resigned. Hortford and Noels game actually work down low together, with Hortford becoming more of the stretch 4 type. So they dont play in the same space so to speak.

[mahonedog88]

This is the exact kind of thing that makes me nervous.  It's easy to forget that not only does the other team need to play ball with us, but we're also competing with other teams.

Personally I think that's an okay deal for both sides, and if I were Philly and it was choosing between trading Okafor for #3 or Noel for Jeff Teague, I'd probably lean towards the Noel for Teague deal.  I'd only consider the Cs deal if the Cs sweeten the pot.

You also have to remember, just about every rumor you hear between now and the draft are just that, rumors.  You have to take all of these with a grain of salt because that vast majority of them won't happen.  They're really more just fun talking points.

[LooseCannon]

So, Atlanta is going to rebuild now? I think that's the only reason they'd want to do this.

If they are seriously going to rebuild, I would make a huge offer for Millsap.

[saltlover]

Here's a link:

http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2016/6/2/11847302/atlanta-hawks-trade-rumor-jeff-teague-nerlens-noel-philadelphia-76ers

Atlanta and Philadelphia are discussing a deal centered on a Jeff Teague and Nerlens Noel package, league sources tell The Vertical.

Sounds like there would be more moving parts to this. PHI trading Noel for a PG on an expiring contract seems like a pretty light return.

Noel will command big money next season as this is the final year on his rookie contract, so it's a moot point.

Trading a guy who was supposed to be a foundational piece of the inevitable Philly dynasty for a 27-year-old PG who's career highs are 16.5 points and 7.2 assists and has only one more year on his deal is pretty much what Hinkie fans have been dreading.

Teague would certainly make Philly a lot better next season, but "a lot better" might mean 22 wins.

Mike

If Teague is engaged and likes Philly, it would be a fine trade for them.  That team needs a veteran PG who can actually play.  If Philly wants to start getting free agents soon, they need someone like Teague there to sell other players on the situation. Right now anyone who goes to Philly would do it only for the money.  And if a player is only in it for the money, you're probably not going to get what you paid for.

Lol... the reaction to this rumor is predictably comical.  We were under the impression that Marcus Smart, a guy who averages like 8 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals with 34%/26%/60% shooting was the max trade value for Noel.   The way some painted the picture of Noel's trade value, they'd be lucky to get Terry Rozier or the #16 pick for him.

Funny that the rumor says they might get Teague and the reaction is that it's a bad trade for Philly.  Like, really really funny.   

Teague is in his prime, was the starting PG for a 60 win Hawks team, was the starting PG for a team that made quick work of the Celtics in the first round... and while he averaged a mere 28.5 minutes sharing minutes with Shroeder, he put up per-36 numbers of 20 points, 7.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals with 45%/40%/84% shooting. 

If that's what Noel gets them, considering that they traded oft-injured 1-time all-star Jrue Holiday to land Noel + Saric... that's a decent move for a Philly team that has succeeded in tanking and is now ready to start putting together a ball club. 

If they trade Noel for Teague, then trade Okafor an equally quality SG or SF (someone like Jimmy Butler), Philly could actually start to become attractive to free agents.

If Ainge traded Smart for Teague I'd be ticked, so I'm not quite certain you've got it correct, Mr. Hinkie.

[LarBrd33]

Here's a link:

http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2016/6/2/11847302/atlanta-hawks-trade-rumor-jeff-teague-nerlens-noel-philadelphia-76ers

Atlanta and Philadelphia are discussing a deal centered on a Jeff Teague and Nerlens Noel package, league sources tell The Vertical.

Sounds like there would be more moving parts to this. PHI trading Noel for a PG on an expiring contract seems like a pretty light return.

Noel will command big money next season as this is the final year on his rookie contract, so it's a moot point.

Trading a guy who was supposed to be a foundational piece of the inevitable Philly dynasty for a 27-year-old PG who's career highs are 16.5 points and 7.2 assists and has only one more year on his deal is pretty much what Hinkie fans have been dreading.

Teague would certainly make Philly a lot better next season, but "a lot better" might mean 22 wins.

Mike

If Teague is engaged and likes Philly, it would be a fine trade for them.  That team needs a veteran PG who can actually play.  If Philly wants to start getting free agents soon, they need someone like Teague there to sell other players on the situation. Right now anyone who goes to Philly would do it only for the money.  And if a player is only in it for the money, you're probably not going to get what you paid for.

Lol... the reaction to this rumor is predictably comical.  We were under the impression that Marcus Smart, a guy who averages like 8 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals with 34%/26%/60% shooting was the max trade value for Noel.   The way some painted the picture of Noel's trade value, they'd be lucky to get Terry Rozier or the #16 pick for him.

Funny that the rumor says they might get Teague and the reaction is that it's a bad trade for Philly.  Like, really really funny.   

Teague is in his prime, was the starting PG for a 60 win Hawks team, was the starting PG for a team that made quick work of the Celtics in the first round... and while he averaged a mere 28.5 minutes sharing minutes with Shroeder, he put up per-36 numbers of 20 points, 7.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals with 45%/40%/84% shooting. 

If that's what Noel gets them, considering that they traded oft-injured 1-time all-star Jrue Holiday to land Noel + Saric... that's a decent move for a Philly team that has succeeded in tanking and is now ready to start putting together a ball club. 

If they trade Noel for Teague, then trade Okafor an equally quality SG or SF (someone like Jimmy Butler), Philly could actually start to become attractive to free agents.

i mean, that's not crazy good trade value (with regards to noel)

Teague is really good, but he put up 16 and 6 in a really good system with good shooters around him

Maybe he'll score more with philly

And he could easily walk. It's not like he's locked up for 3 years

If he walks, it's a terrible trade for them

If not, it's a solid move in the right direction

But I mean this has literally been my point all along.  You take prospects like Noel and Okafor, because they are the best players available at the time and eventually when you're ready to build a team, you can trade them for positions of need.  Big men prospects remain valuable.  Why not stock them up and move them when you're ready for competent players who can fit in right away and help you win.   That's literally been what I've been arguing for the past two years. 

You have fans saying "Let's offer them #16 + #23 for Noel... it's the best they can do!" and it's never made sense to me.

You have fans arguing that Philly's situation is a "failure", because they are stuck with bigs... meanwhile, I consistently point out that Philly is in that situation by design and could have flipped one of those bigs for a competent guard at ANY TIME to improve their rotation balance.  Why do that, though if the goal was to bottom out? They succeeded in bottoming out, landed the #1 pick for their troubles, and now predictably you are hearing about them looking to trade one of the bigs for established talent.

I mean... I've literally even name-dropped Jeff Teague multiple times in trying to explain my point. 
March 2015:

I was just giggling at how funny it would be if the Celtics had drafted a star big man prospect like Embiid or Noel and then traded one of them away for the #11 and #26 picks.  I imagine we'd riot.

If I'm Philly, I take best player available, even if it's Okafor, and then have them split the 96 minutes at the PF/C roles (32 minutes per night each).   Let it play out for a season.  If all three end up as good as expected, they'll have infinite options.  Instead of giving up a can't-miss superstar prospect for a crapshoot #7-11 pick, they can just trade one of those guys for an all-star at a position of need.  That makes WAAAY more sense.  Elite big men are the most valuable assets in the league.  If they decide to move one of those guys, they'll basically have their choice of whatever they want.  Want a Jeff Teague or something? Done.   Want a DeMar Derozan?  Done.  Everyone in the league will line up to trade for the "expendable" 19-21 year old superstar big man prospect and if Boston is offering #11 + #26, they are gonna be way off in the back of the line.

January 2016:

But honestly, if I were Hinkie or Colangelo, I'd look outside Boston for options.  Danny Ainge is too shrewd.  He's not going to make a deal that isn't a landslide victory for him.  I wouldn't even bother dealing with Boston.

Instead, I'd look to other rebuilding teams that might want to drop a quality vet... someone a bit more polished and a safer bet than Marcus Smart.   If Atlanta fears losing Horford and moves him before the deadline, wouldn't they be a great landing spot for Noel?... at the price of Teague or Shroeder + additional value?

Also, there's been rumors of them targeting Teague or Schroeder for months.  I pointed it out a few months ago, but reiterated that it made no sense for Philly to do while they were in the midst of tanking.  Why hurt their tank job when the primary goal was landing the #1 pick?  Made WAAAY more sense to just finish out the season and then address needs.

Feb 2016:

The timing was mostly just to build the perception that they had changed course.  I guess trading for Ish Smith and signing Elton Brand were nice stop-gap moves, but they know that finishing with the worst record this season is their best move.

Fwiw, I've heard that they have inquired about trading for Teague or Schroeder.

But yeah... pretty funny that the Colangelo hire was met with such hyperbolic "the league is stepping in!!... the tank is over!!" reactionary posts.  As expected, they are sticking to the same plan.

So let's see if it finally happens.  No doubt about it - trading for Jeff Teague would be a major help towards helping Philly's roster balance.   I'm curious if it goes down will Philly be the one to include extra assets?   That'll be interesting to see.   We can only really guess as to what Philly's asking price is for these guys.  But if Colangelo is targeting Teague-types, it seems to back up the idea that they are looking for established talent.  That might throw ice on our hope of stealing Okafor for the #3 pick.  They'd likely be looking at trying to get another quality established player.

[Grindfather]

Here's a link:

http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2016/6/2/11847302/atlanta-hawks-trade-rumor-jeff-teague-nerlens-noel-philadelphia-76ers

Atlanta and Philadelphia are discussing a deal centered on a Jeff Teague and Nerlens Noel package, league sources tell The Vertical.

Sounds like there would be more moving parts to this. PHI trading Noel for a PG on an expiring contract seems like a pretty light return.

Noel will command big money next season as this is the final year on his rookie contract, so it's a moot point.

Trading a guy who was supposed to be a foundational piece of the inevitable Philly dynasty for a 27-year-old PG who's career highs are 16.5 points and 7.2 assists and has only one more year on his deal is pretty much what Hinkie fans have been dreading.

Teague would certainly make Philly a lot better next season, but "a lot better" might mean 22 wins.

Mike

If Teague is engaged and likes Philly, it would be a fine trade for them.  That team needs a veteran PG who can actually play.  If Philly wants to start getting free agents soon, they need someone like Teague there to sell other players on the situation. Right now anyone who goes to Philly would do it only for the money.  And if a player is only in it for the money, you're probably not going to get what you paid for.

Lol... the reaction to this rumor is predictably comical.  We were under the impression that Marcus Smart, a guy who averages like 8 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals with 34%/26%/60% shooting was the max trade value for Noel.   The way some painted the picture of Noel's trade value, they'd be lucky to get Terry Rozier or the #16 pick for him.

Funny that the rumor says they might get Teague and the reaction is that it's a bad trade for Philly.  Like, really really funny.   

Teague is in his prime, was the starting PG for a 60 win Hawks team, was the starting PG for a team that made quick work of the Celtics in the first round... and while he averaged a mere 28.5 minutes sharing minutes with Shroeder, he put up per-36 numbers of 20 points, 7.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals with 45%/40%/84% shooting. 

If that's what Noel gets them, considering that they traded oft-injured 1-time all-star Jrue Holiday to land Noel + Saric... that's a decent move for a Philly team that has succeeded in tanking and is now ready to start putting together a ball club. 

If they trade Noel for Teague, then trade Okafor an equally quality SG or SF (someone like Jimmy Butler), Philly could actually start to become attractive to free agents.

Have you asked yourself why Atlanta is so ready to move on from Teague?

[LarBrd33]

Here's a link:

http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2016/6/2/11847302/atlanta-hawks-trade-rumor-jeff-teague-nerlens-noel-philadelphia-76ers

Atlanta and Philadelphia are discussing a deal centered on a Jeff Teague and Nerlens Noel package, league sources tell The Vertical.

Sounds like there would be more moving parts to this. PHI trading Noel for a PG on an expiring contract seems like a pretty light return.

Noel will command big money next season as this is the final year on his rookie contract, so it's a moot point.

Trading a guy who was supposed to be a foundational piece of the inevitable Philly dynasty for a 27-year-old PG who's career highs are 16.5 points and 7.2 assists and has only one more year on his deal is pretty much what Hinkie fans have been dreading.

Teague would certainly make Philly a lot better next season, but "a lot better" might mean 22 wins.

Mike

If Teague is engaged and likes Philly, it would be a fine trade for them.  That team needs a veteran PG who can actually play.  If Philly wants to start getting free agents soon, they need someone like Teague there to sell other players on the situation. Right now anyone who goes to Philly would do it only for the money.  And if a player is only in it for the money, you're probably not going to get what you paid for.

Lol... the reaction to this rumor is predictably comical.  We were under the impression that Marcus Smart, a guy who averages like 8 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals with 34%/26%/60% shooting was the max trade value for Noel.   The way some painted the picture of Noel's trade value, they'd be lucky to get Terry Rozier or the #16 pick for him.

Funny that the rumor says they might get Teague and the reaction is that it's a bad trade for Philly.  Like, really really funny.   

Teague is in his prime, was the starting PG for a 60 win Hawks team, was the starting PG for a team that made quick work of the Celtics in the first round... and while he averaged a mere 28.5 minutes sharing minutes with Shroeder, he put up per-36 numbers of 20 points, 7.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals with 45%/40%/84% shooting. 

If that's what Noel gets them, considering that they traded oft-injured 1-time all-star Jrue Holiday to land Noel + Saric... that's a decent move for a Philly team that has succeeded in tanking and is now ready to start putting together a ball club. 

If they trade Noel for Teague, then trade Okafor an equally quality SG or SF (someone like Jimmy Butler), Philly could actually start to become attractive to free agents.

Have you asked yourself why Atlanta is so ready to move on from Teague?

Yes.  I asked myself that months ago and publicly commented on it as an option for Philly.   Shroeder is coming up and he plays the same position.  That and Horford is probably bailing.  So it makes sense for Philly trade the 27 year old at a redundant position (despite the fact he's a 1-time allstar in his prime) for a 22 year old center (possibly a position of need if Horford leaves) to fit with their 22 year old Point guard. 

Just like it makes sense for Philly to trade one of their 5 quality big man prospects (lots of position redundancy) for an established veteran PG (a major position of need).