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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Dec 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers forward James Jones (1) during the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 108-86. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers forward James Jones (1) during the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 108-86. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

NBA Rumor Three: Cleveland Cavaliers Showing Interest In Nerlens Noel

The Cleveland Cavaliers are the favorites to repeat as NBA champions this year. However, they recognize the moves made by the Golden State Warriors in the off-season, and have as yet failed to counter move.

That could change.

This is not a new rumor, merely one of the recurring themes of the offseason that has carried over into the new year.  In this setting, the Cleveland Cavaliers exchange wing defender extraordinaire Iman Shumpert for the Philadelphia 76ers defensive big man, Nerlens Noel.

While that may not generate much interest from the 76ers, the Cavaliers could offer their first round pick of the 2017 NBA Draft as well.  Another combination may be to include shooting guard Jordon McRae in the package deal.

A variation of this deal is reported by Adrian Lawhorn over at Inquisitr.com.  In his scenario, the Los Angeles Clippers are added to the mix to make it a three team seven player swap.  In their scenario:

"The trade proposal being reported online is a seven-player swap that would net the Cavaliers center Nerlens Noel and shooting guard Jamal Crawford. The Clippers would receive shooting guard Iman Shumpert, power forward Jerami Grant, and a future first-round draft choice. The 76ers’ part of this trade would feature shooting guard Jordan McRae, small forward Alan Anderson, the contract of Mo Williams, and future first and second-round draft picks."

There are formidable challenges to this scenario. Neither Jordan McRae nor Alan Anderson offer much to the Philadelphia 76ers rebuild, so the value to the team would likely be in the draft picks received.  Since the only draft pick available in the 2017 NBA draft pick to either team would be the first round pick of the Cavaliers, this trade will likely remain just a storyline.

Next: Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers Preview

Ultimately, the Philadelphia 76ers will trade Nerlens Noel, and with the deadline of his extension passing, any leverage once held by the team will begin to erode.