The Philadelphia 76ers could be a potential trade partner for the Phoenix Suns in a deal that would involve Brandon Knight and Nerlens Noel.
It seems imminent the 76ers explore the trade market before the February deadline, with the team yet to address their crowded frontcourt. Nerlens Noel, who has yet to play a regular season for Philadelphia, could be the likely odd man out in Philly, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.
"Noel has yet to appear in a game this season after electing to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery last month, but word is he'd still prefer to be shipped to a new address with so many big men to battle for playing time in Philly. Count on the Sixers to accommodate him eventually," Stein wrote.
Plenty of teams have already been linked to Noel, but the 76ers have yet to decide on moving the 22-year-old center. But Philadelphia needs a reliable point guard, who could run the team's offense and contribute on that end, which could possibly open up a deal involving Noel. According to Timothy Rapp of Bleacher Report, the Phoenix Suns could emerge as an interesting trade partner for Philadelphia.
"The Sixers certainly could use upgrades at both guard positions-even if Ben Simmons does settle into the point guard role on offense, it's hard to imagine him regularly defending the position," Rapp wrote.
"It's unclear whether the Suns would have any interest in either Noel or Okafor, but it isn't hard to imagine them dealing Knight."
Suns general manger Ryan McDonough has insisted he isn't actively trading Knight, but hinted a deal could work after evaluating his team for at least two months, just in time before the February 23 deadline next year.
After averaging career highs in points (19.6 points per game), while playing 36.0 minutes a game last season with the Suns, Knight has been relegated, only averaging 13.2 points per contest, his lowest since his rookie season with the Detroit Pistons. But Knight is still a capable scorer and should give the 76ers a boost on that area. The 25-year-old point guard could also play as the team's second playmaker once Ben Simmons returns, taking some ball-handling pressure off the Aussie rookie.
Noel, on the other hand, would add to the Suns' also crowded frontcourt, but his versatility on the defensive end and ability to protect the rim should see him as top option in Earl Watson's rotation. Pairing Tyson Chandler and Noel would make a defensive frontcourt tandem and two rebounding machines.
However, trading for Knight would require the 76ers to include a key player down the rotation to match the former's salary. Nevertheless, it is a deal worth considering for the 76ers, especially if it such move could finally solve their frontcourt logjam.
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