Philadelphia 76ers Nerlens Noel To Dallas Mavericks Could Work

Nov 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots past Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots past Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

A Deal Worth Making

Finding a good trade for Noel has been mission impossible since Bryan Colangelo decided he was the center the Sixers need to trade.  But the Mavericks might be the Sixers best and only chance to get anything resembling fair value in return for a good young player.  They simply need to camouflage it as a salary dump.

The Mavericks need to emerge from salary cap purgatory quickly if the team intends to turn things around quickly.  Right now the team is lashed to players making far too much for producing far too little.  Without a change to that, the team cannot change the outcome.

The Philadelphia 76ers need to find a new address for Nerlens Noel, but cannot show weakness to the roster nor to other NBA teams in the process.   Letting Noel walk away for anything less than a solid starter or lottery first round pick must be viewed as forbidden.

This deal passes the sniff test for both teams.  The Mavericks land a young player who fits their style, has a proven track record in the NBA, and becomes an anchor to a team rebuild which would allow the Mavericks to turn to youth or veterans in the process.

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The 76ers remove a disgruntled player form the mix, add valuable draft pick(s) in the process, and emerge from a bad situation with the best outcome hoped-for.  The Mavericks and the 76ers would be wise to test the waters on this trade, before Noel is shipped off elsewhere.