Are Nerlens Noel And Joel Embiid Compatible?

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Mar 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (left) and center Joel Embiid (right) share a laugh during warm ups before a game against the Atlanta Hawks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

With interest growing in NBA for services of Jahlil Okafor, it’s likely the Sixers enter the season with only Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel at center. But, are Noel and Embiid Compatible?

The Process started with center Nerlens Noel rehabilitating his knee for a year with the Philadelphia 76ers. The following year, it was center Joel Embiid’s turn to undergo rehabilitation after foot surgery, and finally in the third year that was followed by Embiid rehabilitating while centers Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel tried to find compatibility.

The process was sabotaged at every turn it seems. But 2016-2017 is a year with some hope. Joel Embiid is returning healthy, if you can believe recent progress. The Philadelphia 76ers hold the top pick of the 2016 NBA draft. The outcome could be an answer at either small forward/ shooting guard, or an answer for a forward position, which adds its own set of complexities to the complex front court situation of the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Will the Philadelphia 76ers keep all three centers? While Sam Hinkie’s unorthodox patterns certainly made it a likelihood until the 2017 NBA trade deadline to maximize value, Bryan Colangelo is certainly far more traditional. He sees three centers, and if he is leaning towards Ben Simmons as reported, then he will want to clear some room in the front court for the new prospect. He has the potential to create a big team with exceptional versatility and athleticism if the team begins to consider Nerlens Noel with Joel Embiid at the five.

But does that mean the Philadelphia 76ers trade Jahlil Okfor? Since he arrived, those whispers have been heard. He arrived to the Sixers, filled in for center due to Joel Embiid’s second year of rehabilitation of his injured foot, and played remarkably well despite a team roster that really wasn’t set up to promote what he can do best: score at the post.

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