Philadelphia’s desire to deal Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor is complicated by their declining trade value, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Noel is in the final year of his rookie deal and will be a restricted free agent after the season is over. Any team that acquires him faces the risk that he will receive a large offer that it would have to match to keep him. Okafor’s value is driven down by a hurting right knee, defensive problems and the feeling that his old-school game is only effective in certain systems. The Bulls have reportedly contacted the Sixers about Okafor, but Pompey suspects the best Philadelphia could hope for is a young player and a mid- to late-first-round pick.
There’s more out of Philadelphia:
- Okafor has heard about the Bulls’ interest, and says trade talk is nothing new for him, Pompey relays in a separate story. “Trade rumors are something that’s going to be a part of my life probably for as long as I’m in the NBA,” Okafor said. “I’ve been hearing it since I’ve been in the NBA about being traded.”
- Many of the players who are helping the Sixers improve now understand that they won’t be around when the team expects to become a contender, notes Steve Aschburner of NBA.com. One example he cites is Gerald Henderson, a 29-year-old guard who has has been an important contributor, averaging 9.7 points per night and starting 29 games. “That’s what the NBA is,” Henderson said. “… You come in and do your job. Focus on that, and you go home. The future of this franchise will be what it’s going to be. They’ll make a decision to get whoever they want to be in this locker room. But for the group that we have, we play for each other. We try to do our jobs and win every night, and that’s it.”
- Brett Brown’s former boss, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich, has noticed the challenges Brown has faced in managing a team through “The Process” that involved three straight years of losing and rebuilding, writes Brian Seltzer of Sixers.com. “There’s nobody that could do the job that he’s doing, considering the situation as it has been,” Popovich said. “His demeanor and ability to stay positive and just teach, and get satisfaction out of watching young players absorb things is beyond my comprehension. He’s a consummate teacher, and upbeat individual.”
A mid to late round pick? When did the draft expand?
And Noels value being hurt because of his contract is overstated.he’s still young,and if anyone has interest in him,they’ll have to pay for him 1 way or the other.wouldnt it be better to aquire the right to match any offer?its not as if matching a offer for him will really affect the 6ers cap situation. Hes not gonna help anyone in the playoffs if they wait for the offseason.
Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better. The reality is neither Noel nor Okafor have developed much value or interest in the NBA yet. If Philly is smart, they’ll trade both for depth players.
You’re simply not going to get a top 10 draft pick, contrary to what Sixers management and local sports media have been telling you the last 3 years.
I meant “not getting a top 10 draft pick for Noel or Okafor.
Who said anything about getting a top 10?
He’s a consummate teacher, and upbeat individual.”
What has he taught?
Fire him, Now!!1
Yea,fire him now,5 days after having our best month in 4 years.
That was 1 of my biggest problems with the way we tanked.having a couple of high draft picks with a roster full of d-leaguers,we never really knew what type of job he was actually doing.but now,seeing the way this team has come together,theres no way he should be fired at this point.throughout all our losing,this team never quit and never stopped playing hard.he earned his right to keep the job for the foreseeable future.quite frankly,i think we’re lucky he never asked to be let go.
i think we’re lucky he never asked to be let go.
Why?
No offensive scheme, no defensive scheme.
If for anything give someone else a chance.
Dumb comments are dumb, lefty
Jesus…
Value is perception, there are teams wanting them but not at high prices couple 2nds is about right
Please find your way into the Celtics front office!!
Last year was a quiet trade deadline, no big names. The year before had a lot of huge moves. Watch Melo get traded, and other teams are going to scramble and we’ll likely see a flurry of trade activity. Someone will bite on Monroe, Noel, Knight.