In addition to Nerlens Noel, NBA Rumors Now Place Robert Covington and Nik Stauskas as trade pieces in talks with Atlanta Hawks for Jeff Teague
I recall the rumors of the NFL trade of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles to the Saint Louis Rams for their quarterback Sam Bradford. Those rumors included details of a potential second round draft pick to be part of the trade compensation. In light of the fact of salary inequity of a very expensive Sam Bradford and the very inexpensive Nick Foles with similar NFL production, the Philadelphia Eagles fan base simply presumed that it was the Eagles who would be acquiring a Rams second round pick. The reality of that trade was that it was the Eagles who needed to cough up a 2nd round pick to make the deal happen.
I hate to tell you this, Philadelphia 76ers fans, but deja vu.
Now the NBA rumors of the Atlanta Hawks dealings with the Philadelphia 76ers feel likes its taking a turn…sharply to the worse.
Longtime Philadelphia 76ers reporter Keith Pompey has tossed the names of both Robert Covington and Nik Stauskas into the developing trade talks with the Atlanta Hawks. In the article, Pompey refers to the trade discussion – not as head up player exchanges – but rather in terms of trade packages. Until now, these trade talks have centered on a simply heads up trade, a trade which most of the Philadelphia 76ers fan base has already soured on. If the 76ers are truly including three point shooters as Covington and Stauskas in discussions with Atlanta, there will certainly need to be a great deal more offered from the Atlanta Hawks’ side of the equation compensate for the trio.
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At the 2016 NBA trade deadline, the reports at that time described a Philadelphia 76ers package which included Nik Stauskas, Ish Smith, and a late first round draft pick to the Atlanta Hawks for their reserve point guard Dennis Schroder.
When facing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA playoffs , it became clear that Atlanta was ready to move on from Teague. In the fourth quarter of game four, the Hawks went exclusively with Schroder at the point guard position, despite the situation of do or die. And for the second season in a row, the Hawks were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Hawks are determined to overcome the challenge in post season, focusing on their lack of a rim protector by acquiring Nerlens Noel. The inclusion of Covington and or Stauskas suggests that the Hawks believe they need more compensation to part with Teague.
The storyline is gaining recognition. FanSided’s own Charles Rahrig V brought this new set of deal participants to attention in his article of June 3rd, 2016.
There is also the remote possibility that the Sixers have staked a claim on one or more of the Atlanta Hawks 2016 NBA draft picks, which come in at 21, 44 and 54. While that means little value to the Philadelphia 76ers who sit on the 24 and 26 picks, it could be used to leapfrog up the draft board to a lottery pick. With the 24 and 26 picks, the Sixers could potentially reach to 15. With any or all of the Hawks’ picks, they could jump into the top ten.
Despite the assurance that this is just a preliminary session to feel out mutual interest and gauge the value associated to each team in pursuing this avenue, the story has begun to leak additional details which suggests that the teams are interested in making a deal, but have not agreed to one another’s asking price. For the Philadelphia 76ers, this new news is making the deal very hard to stomach indeed. Nerlens Noel is an elite defensive center prospect who is both young and loaded with huge potential. If these rumors of current trading chips are accurate, there is little hope for the Philadelphia 76ers side of the trade to appeal to the fan base. Even the fans who were eager to shed Sam Hinkie understand the mistake of overpaying for the talent that Jeff Teague would likely bring to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Next: T.J.McConnell is Up To The Challenge
The deal has not happened yet, and with the way the events are playing out the most positive outcome appears to be that it never does happen. If this is the way Bryan Colangelo wishes to spring into the off-season, it won’t be long before the fans begin to demand the return of Sam Hinkie.