Rumor NBA Trade Rumors: Nerlens Noel To Trailblazers Raptors Cavaliers

[Boob-No-More]

OK, caveat No. 1 - Fansided is what Bleacher Report used to be, a fan written, vanity publishing site. Their articles have pretty much ZERO credibility. It's just a bunch of fans sharing their opinions and ideas.

Here's the link:

NBA Trade Rumors: Nerlens Noel To Trailblazers Raptors Cavaliers

Caveat No. 2 - the author gives absolutely NO details about why he included those three teams in the title of his article. So, again ZERO credibility.

But, what is clear is Noel is available. With Embiid winning hearts in PHI, they need to move at least one of their young centers. Back during the draft, they were actively shopping Okafor, but didn't get any takers willing to meet their asking price.

Now, it's Noel that has fallen out of favor in PHI. It's very telling that they picked up the options for Embiid, Okafor and Stauskas, but did not extend Noel. Brian Colangelo is on record that the 76ers are NOT tanking this year. He signed a lot of veterans over the summer and traded Jerami Grant to OKC for Ersan Ilyasova and a conditional 1st round pick this morning.

PHI needs guards BAD (not more bad guards - they have plenty of those). It would seem like a trade involving Noel to POR and Crabbe to PHI, as the main pieces, would make sense for both teams. We'd probably need to take back one of their lesser guards and include another big (they want floor spacing - send them Meyers), to balance out the rosters, or maybe get a third team involved.

Noel isn't a superstar, but he's an elite defender and rim protector. He's only 22 and attainable.

BNM

 

[illmatic99]

If it's just for AC, then hell ya. Even if it kills our shooting off the bench.

Noel is the prototypical defensive big in this generation. And his P&R game is not that bad either. And in this deflated center market, we could possibly be able to extend him for a decent contract as a RFA this summer.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Apart from that story about him trashing a rental property and then threatening the owners, I'm in. He's adept at both steals and blocks, and that's my kind of player. Of course, both of those stats can be "empty" if you're gambling, but it would be nice to have an elite, super-long athlete for a change. But what would they want of ours?

 

[blue9]

He's adept at both steals and blocks...

It drives me crazy how little importance Stotts places on steals. Steals are the single greatest defensive play a team can make:

1 - They rob the other team of even attempting to score. Much better than a missed shot, blocked shot, or shot clock violation.
2 - They often lead to an easy transition basket.

With the increased reward offsetting the decreased conversion rate, steals are the 3-pointers of the defensive end. Stotts loves 3-pointers, so why does he hate steals?

 

[Boob-No-More]

Apart from that story about him trashing a rental property and then threatening the owners, I'm in. He's adept at both steals and blocks, and that's my kind of player. Of course, both of those stats can be "empty" if you're gambling, but it would be nice to have an elite, super-long athlete for a change. But what would they want of ours?

It's hard to call any stats for any PHI player over the last three years anything but empty, but Noel is an elite defender and rim protector. I posted this in another, unrelated thread last week:

In spite of missing 15 games last season and 7 the season before, he is the only player in the entire NBA to record >100 BLKs and >100 STLs for each of the past two seasons. And he did that at 20 and 21 years of age. He was also top 8 in DBPM for each of his first two seasons.

So, in spite of playing for a team that was trying (and succeeding) to lose, Noel was still top 8 in defensive box plus minus for two years in a row.

I'm sure they'll ask for C.J.. Neal will laugh REALLY hard, and offer them their choice of Crabbe or Turner. The'll pass on Turner. They drafted him at No. 2 and shipped him out when he didn't live up to his draft position. Besides, they need outside shooting to spread the floor for Embiid and Okafor. Crabbe would be great for them. They'd be giving up a bench player and getting back someone that would start for them.

Maybe we throw in Meyers and they throw in Stauskas (or one of their other mediocre guards, who pretty much all payed for us in the past) to balance the rosters.

BNM

 

[illmatic99]

It drives me crazy how little importance Stotts places on steals. Steals are the single greatest defensive play a team can make:

1 - They rob the other team of even attempting to score. Much better than a missed shot, blocked shot, or shot clock violation.
2 - They often lead to an easy transition basket.

With the increased reward offsetting the decreased conversion rate, steals are the 3-pointers of the defensive end. Stotts loves 3-pointers, so why does he hate steals?

This is actually a terrific question. I feel like it probably has a lot to do with personnel -- but Stotts in general believes in this conservative defense. Much like Vogel in Indy.

Could be a good question to ask if there's ever a meet and greet or Ask Stotts forum.

 

[e_blazer]

I'd just point out that Crabbe can't be traded until Jan. 15th.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

It drives me crazy how little importance Stotts places on steals. Steals are the single greatest defensive play a team can make:

1 - They rob the other team of even attempting to score. Much better than a missed shot, blocked shot, or shot clock violation.
2 - They often lead to an easy transition basket.

With the increased reward offsetting the decreased conversion rate, steals are the 3-pointers of the defensive end. Stotts loves 3-pointers, so why does he hate steals?

Simple answer: I'm sure Stotts loves steals. What he doesn't love is the gambling usually associated with them, because that ruins team defenses. There are lots of awesome defenders who get very few steals but as a result are NEVER out of position.

 

[blue9]

This is actually a terrific question. I feel like it probably has a lot to do with personnel -- but Stotts in general believes in this conservative defense. Much like Vogel in Indy.

Could be a good question to ask if there's ever a meet and greet or Ask Stotts forum.

With the way we just concede the mid-range, and often lay-ups too, it doesn't seem like gambling on steals would put us in a worse position than we're already in.
The problem with having Noel being the guy getting steals is we want him to protect the paint. We need everyone BUT him to go for steals, and if they lose the gamble at least we have Noel in the middle. But if Noel is playing the passing lanes there's nobody that has his back when he doesn't come up with the ball.

 

[blue9]

I'd just point out that Crabbe can't be traded until Jan. 15th.

Or Meyers, or Harkless.

 

[Boob-No-More]

It drives me crazy how little importance Stotts places on steals. Steals are the single greatest defensive play a team can make:

1 - They rob the other team of even attempting to score. Much better than a missed shot, blocked shot, or shot clock violation.
2 - They often lead to an easy transition basket.

With the increased reward offsetting the decreased conversion rate, steals are the 3-pointers of the defensive end. Stotts loves 3-pointers, so why does he hate steals?

STLs are a double edged sword. Unfortunately, there is no stat that shows how many layups and wide open 3-pointers you give up when you gamble for a steal and don't get it. Stotts choose to take a conservative approach, but it's not like we play elite level defense by "staying in front" of our men. Maybe a little more gambling wouldn't hurt.

In spite of playing less than 30 MPG, Noel averages as many STL/G as Dame and C.J. combined. Imagine having a center, who is an elite rim protector that gets more steals than your starting backcourt.

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

With the way we just concede the mid-range, and often lay-ups too, it doesn't seem like gambling on steals would put us in a worse position than we're already in.
The problem with having Noel being the guy getting steals is we want him to protect the paint. We need everyone BUT him to go for steals, and if they lose the gamble at least we have Noel in the middle. But if Noel is playing the passing lanes there's nobody that has his back when he doesn't come up with the ball.

He does both. He gets steals and protects the rim. If he was gambling and getting beat, he wouldn't have been 4th and 8th in the league in DBPM the last two seasons. He's not out pressuring the guards bringing the ball up the court. He's racking up steals in the paint by stripping other big men or intercepting entry passes.

BNM

 

[Rastapopoulos]

It's funny: Noel's been in the NBA a while but we still know about as much about him as when he was coming out of college. Not only did he miss a bunch of time, but when he was playing, he was playing for the most dysfunctional NBA team imaginable.

It makes sense for him to be linked to the Cavs: whatever team goes after him better have a rock solid lockerrom hierarchy.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Nerlens Noel averaged 1.8 STL/G and 1.9 BLK/G as a 20-year old rookie.

Only 16 times since the NBA started tracking STLs and BLKs in 1973-74 has a player exceeded both of those numbers in a season. Hakeem Olajuwon did it 9 times. Nobody else has done it more than once.

Noel, if he plays 34 MPG and goes back to playing center (PHI played him out of position at PF last season so Okafor could play center), has the potential to average 2 STL/G and 2 BLK/G. That's only happened 6 times in NBA history. Hakeem did it 4 times and David Robinson and Gerald Wallace one time each.

BNM

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I'd just point out that Crabbe can't be traded until Jan. 15th.

Pretty sure it's December 15th for Crabbe because we matched an offer sheet rather than signing him ourselves.

 

[Boob-No-More]

It's funny: Noel's been in the NBA a while but we still know about as much about him as when he was coming out of college. Not only did he miss a bunch of time, but when he was playing, he was playing for the most dysfunctional NBA team imaginable.

It makes sense for him to be linked to the Cavs: whatever team goes after him better have a rock solid lockerrom hierarchy.

Where would he play in CLE? I don't see the Cavs breaking up their starting front court to add Noel. Thompson and Love are both locked up for this season plus three more.

We have Damian Lillard. He's a great leader and we have a great culture here. Much better than the train wreck that PHI has been as long as Noel has been there. Imagine what it's like being a young player knowing your team is trying to lose so they can get a top 3 pick to draft someone to take your job - wwhich is EXACTLY what happened. Our lockeroom and team chemisrty would be life changing for a young player like Nerlens Noel.

BNM

 

[e_blazer]

Pretty sure it's December 15th for Crabbe because we matched an offer sheet rather than signing him ourselves.

I don't think so. He was signed using Bird rights, the team is over the cap, the player's new salary is above the minimum, and he received a raise greater than 20%.

 

[BBert]

Nerlens Noel averaged 1.8 STL/G and 1.9 BLK/G as a 20-year old rookie.

Only 16 times since the NBA started tracking STLs and BLKs in 1973-74 has a player exceeded both of those numbers in a season. Hakeem Olajuwon did it 9 times. Nobody else has done it more than once.

Noel, if he plays 34 MPG and goes back to playing center (PHI played him out of position at PF last season so Okafor could play center), has the potential to average 2 STL/G and 2 BLK/G. That's only happened 6 times in NBA history. Hakeem did it 4 times and David Robinson and Gerald Wallace one time each.

BNM

Sign me up

 

[KingSpeed]

If it's just for AC, then hell ya. Even if it kills our shooting off the bench.

Noel is the prototypical defensive big in this generation. And his P&R game is not that bad either. And in this deflated center market, we could possibly be able to extend him for a decent contract as a RFA this summer.

We already have Ezeli.

 

[Chris Craig]

Just trick them into taking meyers

 

[TBpup]

It drives me crazy how little importance Stotts places on steals. Steals are the single greatest defensive play a team can make:

1 - They rob the other team of even attempting to score. Much better than a missed shot, blocked shot, or shot clock violation.
2 - They often lead to an easy transition basket.

With the increased reward offsetting the decreased conversion rate, steals are the 3-pointers of the defensive end. Stotts loves 3-pointers, so why does he hate steals?

Steals are part of the defensive side of the ball. From what we've seen so far, that isn't of much interest. They were better when Lopez was here because...Lopez. The same will be the case if/when Ezeli plays. It will have very little to do with any defensive scheme and simply that there is a defensive stalwart on the floor.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I don't think so. He was signed using Bird rights, the team is over the cap, the player's new salary is above the minimum, and he received a raise greater than 20%.

Wasn't signed using bird rights; we matched an offer sheet. CBA FAQ doesn't really specify one way or the other on that.

 

[e_blazer]

Wasn't signed using bird rights; we matched an offer sheet. CBA FAQ doesn't really specify one way or the other on that.

The Blazers weren't over the cap when they signed Crabbe?

 

[Denny Crane]

I'd just point out that Crabbe can't be traded until Jan. 15th.

He has a 15% trade kicker, too. PO years 1, 2, and 4.

 

[Scalma]

Meyers and a first for Noel done. They're not going to get equal value for him, everyone knows he's on the block.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Meyers and a first for Noel done. They're not going to get equal value for him, everyone knows he's on the block.

That won't get it done.

 

[Denny Crane]

Crabbe was signed via bird exception.

http://nothinbutnets.com/2016/07/08/nets-trail-blazers-have-three-days-to-retain-allen-crabbe/

The Vertical’s Bobby Marks, who used to work in the Nets’ front office, reported early Thursday that Portland would be able to take in their own restricted free agents as well as bring Ezeli aboard, since they have the Bird Rights on Crabbe, for example. However, Marks also notes that Crabbe’s salary as guaranteed by this offer sheet could pose problems for Portland next season. It will be a tense few days for Nets fans who will wait to see what Portland elects to do.

 

[Nhawz]

It's hard to call any stats for any PHI player over the last three years anything but empty, but Noel is an elite defender and rim protector. I posted this in another, unrelated thread last week:

In spite of missing 15 games last season and 7 the season before, he is the only player in the entire NBA to record >100 BLKs and >100 STLs for each of the past two seasons. And he did that at 20 and 21 years of age. He was also top 8 in DBPM for each of his first two seasons.

So, in spite of playing for a team that was trying (and succeeding) to lose, Noel was still top 8 in defensive box plus minus for two years in a row.

I'm sure they'll ask for C.J.. Neal will laugh REALLY hard, and offer them their choice of Crabbe or Turner. The'll pass on Turner. They drafted him at No. 2 and shipped him out when he didn't live up to his draft position. Besides, they need outside shooting to spread the floor for Embiid and Okafor. Crabbe would be great for them. They'd be giving up a bench player and getting back someone that would start for them.

Maybe we throw in Meyers and they throw in Stauskas (or one of their other mediocre guards, who pretty much all payed for us in the past) to balance the rosters.

BNM

Done and done! Make it happen Neil

 

[Sarni]

Let them pick any two assets that are not Dame and CJ. Noel is exactly the sort of player we seem to be missing while Crabbe is someone they're missing. A deal will not be possible in the next two months though and we will have to immediately look for a shooting guard or be left with no back up at all when Crabbe goes. We have plenty of assets though to facilitate a move for a shooting guard or even better, a combo guard. I believe the best would be to trade Plumlee for someone, he'll be surplus to requirements if we reach out for Noel.

Crabbe + maybe a second round pick for Noel

 

[illmatic99]

Some notes from Philly: http://www.libertyballers.com/2016/...hia-76ers-contract-extension-free-agency-2017

Noel’s never really been known for work ethic, and missing/being late to practice (among other things) has happened regularly during his tenure with the Sixers.The constant losing over the past couple of years certainly has not made the situation any better, but the new regime doesn’t have nearly as much patience for his antics.

That would never ever fly with this roster.

But:

He’s one of just seven players to average at least 10 points, 8 rebounds, one block, and one steal per game during the 2015-16 season, and his company is rather elite. He did that all while lacking a starting caliber point guard, and being forced to cooperate with a blasphemous experiment that resulted in him trying to become a jump shooter. His offensive game is remarkably raw (which could be partially attributed with the attempted position change), but he’s undoubtedly a killer pick-and-roll threat. On the defensive end, he can be one of the league’s best rim protectors

Still, this is worrisome:

When Noel had surgery last week to repair an inflamed plica, the team’s press release described it as “minor” and “elective”, which would lead one to believe that the organization felt the procedure wasn’t entirely necessary. Noel is clearly looking past this season, and towards earning a big payday from a team not named the Sixers this summer.

Did the dude seriously have elective surgery to avoid showing up to the team? If there is any truth to that, we run the hell away from this guy.