GM Bryan Colangelo said he doesn’t feel the need to make a trade, as Derek Bodner of the Philadelphia Magazine passes along in a series of Twitter links. “If [all the centers are on the roster at the end of the season], so be it. I will not make a bad deal for this organization,” Colangelo said. The GM added that he’s aware everyone will be lined up to criticize any deal he should make involving Nerlens Noel.
Colangelo believes the root of the logjam in the frontcourt has been the health of Noel, Jahlil Okafor and Joel Embiid. “I don’t think we’ve been at a point where we could actively pursue a trade with any of the centers,” the GM said. He added that the team is “fascinated” with the Noel-Embiid combination.
[RELATED: Trade Candidate: Nerlens Noel]
The Sixers took Noel out of the rotation this week and the team maintains that it was not a direct response to Noel’s comments. Colangelo said the decision was made because they realized that there is a lot of talent on the team and not everyone can play, as Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer relays (Twitter links).
Colangelo added that the team needs to play faster once Ben Simmons returns, but he didn’t provide a timeline for when that would happen, Jessica Camerato of Comcast Sportsnet tweets.
So, from a GM who tanked relentlessly to a GM who’s perfectly fine to keep the franchise in a ridiculous situation because he’s afraid to make a “bad trade”. Meanwhile, the longer this goes on, the less value the pieces have.
I mean, he is right. I guess Sam Hinkie’s plan, in hindsight, was to acquire the most valuable assets in order to be flexible down the road with trade options, while keeping cap space for free agents, basically just stockpiling talent and picks. I’m hard pressed to remember a time where Noel, Embiid (except now), or Okafor have had the trade value you’d expect with their draft positions. Everyone that says the 76ers should trade one of those 3 is only looking at their awkward fit on the roster. The way the 76ers have been running the organization is unorthodox and changing front office personnel halfway through a rebuild puts them in a strange position. Many overtaking GMs have come in to a new organization and dealt away young players and picks like they’re nothing. I’m sure when the right trade comes along, Colangelo will pull the trigger on a deal involving one of the 3. It’s just how much Embiid and Noel talk to the media that keeps this storyline going.
Best thing I’ve heard from BC since he’s been hired! Sixers have coming Ben Simmons (pg), two lottery picks, two second round picks, Furkan Korkmaz and $50M to spend–all by next October. Players can cry and moan if they want. Matters little. Sixers won last night. :-)
Good points. A bunch of fans were gripping about the Cubs a few years ago, then they go on to win a WS. They have at least set themselves up for a ton of different scenarios.
Right don’t make a bad trade just to satisfy the need of one person, always make the right trade that’s best for the team & organization (go 6ers)
I honestly believe Noel is better than Okafor and the combination of Noel and Embiid at the 4 and 5 could be very interesting. They have many skills and potential they have displayed on the court. I personally say trade Okafor.
^^^ this.
If I had my choice. I’d trade Nerlens and Illyasova. I’m not going to resign either of them anyway. Several teams need a stretch-4 and a shot blocking 5.
2017-2018 you split Embiid & Okafor at the 5 – 26/22Mins. And you split Simmons, Saric, and Holmes at the 4 – 28/10/10.