Though trade rumors involving Sam Hinkie are usually wrong, and the trades he makes seem to come out of nowhere, we know we’ll probably see a few deals done by tomorrow’s trade deadline. And one of those deals could involve one of the pieces in that This Starts Now promotional graphic the Sixers released this week: Nerlens Noel.
According to CBS Sports’ R.J. White, the Sixers’ most-likely trade scenario is for second round picks in exchange for absorbing salary, as is the Hinkie way. Also, Luc Mbah a Moute’s name keeps coming up, and maybe they can finally rid themselves of longtime Sixer Andrei Kirilenko. But there’s also this:
The team reportedly likes guard Nik Stauskas, who the Kings have shown a willingness to deal before the deadline. It’s possible general manager Sam Hinkie could consider a deal swapping Nerlens Noel for Stauskas and a pick, per the report, as the No. 8 pick in 2014 would provide perimeter shooting and has one more year on his deal than Noel.
There’s all of this talk around Hinkie and the Sixers that “everyone is available,” but moving Noel would actually show it. And sure the Sixers need shooting (always), but … actually, who knows? Nerlens’ potential as an elite defender — at this point — outweighs Stauskas’ potential as a shooter. But Hinkie’s mind doesn’t work the way ours does, and the Sixers’ starting five next year could feature three players who’ve never suited up for the team. It’s all in flux. And if you thought it was just Nerlens potentially on the block: “Michael Carter-Williams is another player who could be on the move if an interested team is willing to meet the 76ers’ asking price, according to the report.” They’d need to redo that whole graphic.
