Sixers Trade Nerlens Noel To Dallas For First-Round Pick, Justin Anderson

By George Kondoleon | Feb 23, 2017

Feb 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) in action against the Miami Heat during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

According to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Sixers have traded center Nerlens Noel to the Dallas Mavericks.

The Sixers have been shopping center Jahlil Okafor, but in an unexpected turn of events have now dealt Nerlens Noel to the Dallas Mavericks. Noel was traded for a conditional first-round draft pick, Andrew Bogut, and wing Justin Anderson. Anderson seems to be the key piece in the return for Noel.

Noel has been outspoken all season about his unhappiness with the Sixers’ roster shakeout, specifically at the center position. He now heads to Dallas where he can be an important building block next to Harrison Barnes. The Mavericks are reportedly looking to re-sign Noel as he hits restricted free agency.

The Sixers, on the other hand, receive a 1-18 protected first-round pick in 2017 and Justin Anderson. Anderson has been a limited role player in Dallas but can prove to be a nice developmental piece moving forward. It’s interesting how the Sixers suddenly flipped the switch on Noel, who was a driving force to multiple wins this season while Joel Embiid was out.

*Zach Lowe reporting that the protected first-pick becomes two second-round picks in 2017 and 2018.

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The team seemingly was weary about letting Nerlens Noel enter free agency, where he was expected to sign a large offer sheet. The Sixers still have to re-up Embiid next season, and Simmons two seasons after Embiid. This move can mark the team moving forward and attacking free agency by adding complementary pieces in free agency.

Noel has had a rocky road in Philadelphia. Missing his first season due to an ACL injury, playing well in the second half of his rookie season, then struggling to mesh with big man Jahlil Okafor. Okafor’s future is still in question, but as of now it seems he is the back up center for until the deadline strikes.

Nerlens Noel now has the chance to start on a rebuilding team that can piece together something special around him. Noel’s defensive prowess will be missed off the bench, but it was naive to think that he could have continued to be the Sixers’ backup center while getting paid upwards of $80 million. Financially, the deal makes sense for Philadelphia. Value-wise, it’s hard not to gag at this trade.

Next: Sixers Continue To Push Okafor

Anderson is as raw as he could be at age 23, and with the pick undoubtedly falling to Dallas this year, it almost seems as though the Sixers whiffed on this deal in the short term. With still a few hours left in the deadline, the Sixers may not be done moving. (Update, The Vertical is reporting the Sixers are likely to keep Okafor).

UPDATE: According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Sixers are looking to flip Bogut before the deadline.