The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers’ Core: Ultimate Roster Analysis and Predictions

By Bret Stuter

Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) takes a pass during shooting drills prior to playing Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) takes a pass during shooting drills prior to playing Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Nerlens Noel

Status: Currently active, possible starter, strong bench
Contracted Through: 2017
Current 2016-2017 Salary: $4,384,490
Trade Value: An NBA top ten draft pick, or a productive NBA veteran with upside.

Strengths: Nerlens Noel is a modern era NBA center. He is versatile and athletic, and has been an NBA defensive standout his first two seasons of NBA play.  Subsequently, his offense has been more pedestrian, gradually improving each of his first two seasons.
Offense: He modestly improved in nearly all offensive categories in his second NBA season, improving to 11.1 points per game and his accuracy to 52.1 percent from the floor. He cannot create his own shot, and depends heavily upon a catch and shoot, including the alley-oop,  for the bulk of this scoring.
Defense: Conversely, he is a defensive gem.  He was in the top twenty in the NBA in both blocked shots and steals-a feat he shares with Atlanta Hawks power forward Paul Milsap.   Using Milsap as a career model, Noel’s second NBA season is on par defensively with Milsap’s fifth season in the NBA.

Weaknesses: He needs to work on his scoring, but virtually each center in the NBA has started out with less offensive output that many other positions. Noel is truly dependant on his teammates to score, and this year’s roster appears to be an upgrade for him.  Noel could score in the upper teens this season if he warrants enough minutes per game and a consistent starting or coming in off the bench role with the team.
Offense: He has a limited offensive set, a drawback to being recognized for his true overall contribution to the team. But he is showing steady improvement.  With the new roster setting up around him: Ben Simmons, Dario Saric, and even Sergio Rodriguez, Noel will be given far more frequent chances to score.
Defense: He can dominate defensively now, on par with NBA veterans with many more years of experience.  As he gains more experience, Noel will likely become even more proficient in his role.

Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: Approximately 80 percent. If no team meets the asking price, the Philadelphia 76ers are prepared to carry three centers into this season.

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