Philadelphia 76ers: Teams That Could Grab Nerlens Noel Next Offseason
The Philadelphia 76ers may have to dish out some major money to retain young rim protector Nerlens Noel after this upcoming season, but which teams will offer big money?
The Philadelphia 76ers have been planning for this time to come for a bit. With the process fully committed to acquiring potential stars in the draft, there was an expected payout days that could become problematic as the team will see these payouts come year after year.
The amount of talent accumulated has been refreshing to see from an organization that previously could not make a breakthrough in the playoffs, with the surprising first round victory in 2012 over the Chicago Bulls being an outlier. The main problem from total asset accumulation has been the logjam at center. With Joel Embiid seemingly untradeable because of injury and perceived high potential, Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel have been thrown into a never-ending rumor mill.
The debate between who has the higher trade value has been overdrawn by many, and the Philadelphia 76ers have seemingly done their due diligence with gauging each players’ value in various trade talks. Okafor’s lack of defensive presence and his perceived ball-stopping offense have been the biggest negatives that dragged down trade value, while one of the biggest factors that has knocked Noel down is the fact that he is becoming a restricted free agent after this season.
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Teams may be frightened to ship an asset for Noel, while having to risk him being offered big money the next offseason, which could make him a one-year rental for a team. So, the Philadelphia 76ers are stuck in a strange paradox that could restrict them from making a trade this season, and giving the team a decision on whether to match any offers or allow Noel to walk away.
This season is pivotal for Noel’s future salary, and assuming he had a respectable season; here is a look at some of the teams that could be offering big money for Noel.
Brooklyn Nets
New general manager Sean Marks has put the Brooklyn Nets into full rebuild mode, but with a lack of assets to work with the team will have to attack the restricted free agent market, much like they did this past offseason. The Nets struck out on RFAs Tyler Johnson and Allen Crabbe, but they made noise with offering both players big money.
The Nets have money to work with and the need for a young asset, making them perfect candidates to throw some major money at Noel.
Los Angeles Lakers
With the Lakers first shooting for the big name free agents next season, going after Noel maybe second or third on the list of targets for them. The Lakers have a nice young core in Jordan Clarkson, D’Angelo Russell, and Julius Randle that would be perfectly complemented by a defensive powerhouse center in Nerlens Noel.
Noel could be the anchor to a growing young team that could match the Philadelphia 76ers in competitiveness the next half decade. The Lakers and Nets could both throw big money at Noel.
Boston Celtics
Noel’s hometown Celtics have been seemingly calling the Philadelphia 76ers endlessly about the defensive center, and that won’t seem to change once Noel hits the free agent market. The Celtics will be able to throw money at the center, and he would be a nice addition to an annual playoff team, and could actually escalate them a bit.
Noel’s full potential will come playing with a quick guard, and the Celtics have that in Isaiah Thomas. The fit and the situation are seemingly perfect, and the Celtics will go hard at their hometown player.
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The Philadelphia 76ers large room for salary allows for teams to offer large contracts to Noel, and putting the team in an interesting situation. For the Philadelphia 76ers, it may be time to look for a trade that may not be full value, as the team is stuck between giving up assets to giving up money that could restrict them in the future.