NBA Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers Linked to Denver Nuggets

As part of our ongoing series to bring NBA rumors involving the Philadelphia 76ers to you, We’ve found another such whisper: linking the team to the Denver Nuggets

The Philadelphia 76ers are certainly the talk of the NBA right now, with over half the teams and virtually all of the fan bases wondering if their team will be the one to pry either Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor from the Sixer roster.

So far we’ve only scratched the surface:

NBA Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers linked to Cleveland Cavaliers

NBA Rumors: Houston Rockets Linked to Philadelphia 76ers

NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls Linked to Philadelphia 76ers

NBA Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers Linked to Phoenix Suns

NBA Rumors: Atlanta Hawks ?s = Philadelphia 76ers Answers

The latest link to the Philadelphia 76ers comes to us from the over at SB Nation’s Denver Stiffs. In the scenario laid out in their narrative, the Denver Nuggets are crazy NOT to be heavily interested in Nerlens Noel.

More from Rumors

Daniel C. Lewis of Denver Stiffs sets up a nice series of reasons why the Nuggets should target Nerlens Noel this off-season. Is summary, the Nuggets defense was bad and needs improving. Here’s his sales pitch:

"“When I was in the public education system, one of the things I thought was super cool was these adjustable erasers. They came in a plastic case that made it look kind of like a pen, and there was a slider that made it so you could let out a ton of the eraser and then retract it back in the case. I always had dopey wooden pencils, and I never ended up with one, but man they were cool for this middle school dweeb.Nerlens Noel is the basketball equivalent of that eraser. In his first year in the league, a season where most rookies struggle to adapt to the rigors of NBA defense (see the 2015-16 Nuggets), Noel ranked in the top 10 in the league in per game steals and blocks, finished in the top 10 in defensive rating, and helped the 76ers finish 13th in defensive rating.He struggled to play alongside Jahlil Okafor this last season, but you cannot disrespect the caterpillar and rave about the butterfly. The tools to be an impact defender are there, regardless of what happened this season.In my opinion, the Nuggets would be able to start Noel next to Nikola Jokic in the frontcourt and he would help the team improve. His quickness and agility would allow him to guard power forwards, and Jokic’s ability to make plays from the elbows out would alleviate concerns about spacing with the two players on the court.” – Daniel C. Lewis, Denver Stiffs"

And so he makes a great case for why the Nuggets would want Noel. But what does he see the Denver Nuggets offering in return?

"If the Nuggets found themselves in a position to draft Kris Dunn at No. 7, the Nuggets could take Dunn and swap him in a package with Barton or Nelson and the No. 19 pick for Noel and the No. 24 or No. 26 pick. That trade package would give the 76ers a franchise point guard, a valuable backup, and they’d be able to move up in the draft for another role player."

His default position is to package point guard Jameer Nelson, small forward Will Barton and the 19 pick for Noel. Barton is an intriguing player, as he fits the veteran and the wing needs of the Sixers. Nelson simply feels like a name plugged in to the equation, as he is a veteran of 11 years in the NBA.

Next: Ben Simmons Could Transform the Philadelphia 76ers

I think the Sixers would have some interest in a package including Will Barton and whomever the Nuggets get at seven with the nineteen pick and get the Sixers twenty sixth pick. Whether the Nuggets would sign off on that remains to be seen.

That’s just six of the possible 15 plus teams, and only a handful of scenarios possible. We’ll keep looking.