Report: Sixers-Hawks Discussing Blockbuster Deal

According to a report from Shams Charania of the Vertical, the Sixers and Hawks are engaged in potential trade conversations that could possibly send Nerlens Noel to Atlanta and Jeff Teague to Philadelphia. 

While the trade sounds like it makes sense from a fit stand-point, having Noel, Jahlil Okafor and Joel Embiid just doesn't seem like it would work. Add in the possibility of adding Dario Saric and Ben Simmons and you have about five guys vying for minutes in the post area - so its clear someone has to go.

But is dealing Noel the right guy?

I don't think so.

While Teague is a very good player, he was an all-star player in 2014-15 season, I would prefer to keep Noel around for the elite defensive skills set that he brings to the table.  He would be an interesting fit for Atlanta, who has a proven low post player in Paul Millsap, a NBA All-Defensive Second Team player. Adding Noel would bring another great defensive presence to their team.

Many people want to move Okafor, others think it would be a mistake.  While I think Okafor can be a tremendous offensive player in this league, his skill is being phased out of the game right now.  Okafor isn't a great rebounder for his size and he is at this stage of his career, he's a poor defender.

Noel shouldn't need to be a great scorer with guys like Embiid, Simmons (or Ingram) and Saric around - but he is a guy who is athletic, can run the floor, pass and protect the rim.

Also rumored in this deal per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquire is Sixers shooting guard Nik Stauskas and/or small forward Robert Covington. The Sixers have been shopping both of their big men, Noel and Jahlil Okafor to approximately 15 teams in an effort to locate the best deal, Pompey says in his report.