The Sixer Sense
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NBA Trade Rumors: Nerlens Noel To Trailblazers Raptors Cavaliers

By Bret Stuter

Jan 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) an forward Nerlens Noel (4) in a game against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center. The Raptors won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) an forward Nerlens Noel (4) in a game against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center. The Raptors won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia 76ers watched the deadline expire to signing Nerlens Noel to a contract extension. Perhaps the latest round of new trade rumors could be a reason why?

The fans of the Philadelphia 76ers need not debate the center situation of the team any longer. Whether Fates have stepped in, or hurt feelings have pushed the two sides apart, the results are identical.

And so, the deadline of extending Nerlens Noel’s contract has come and gone, leaving the team and the player on a date with separate destinies. But is that good for the player, or the team?

Bryan Colangelo may not think so.  I’m not sure I think so either.

Right now, the team is at a vulnerable and fragile part of the season. Build with positives, and the challenges of the new season forge a team.  Build a team with negatives, and the challenges of this new season can rip the team apart.

Right now, the Philadelphia 76ers are at risk of the latter.   With injuries to starters rookie point forward  Ben Simmons and point guard Jerryd Bayless, and to center Nerlens Noel, the team needs everyone to be on their best behavior.  That’s not exactly how things have rolled along for Noel, who had an outburst of frustration recently over the 76ers center situation.

It may have been that public discord which derailed any plans to extend Noel.  In whatever way you see it going down, the days of Nerlens Noel in a 76ers Jersey are now likely limited.