Philadelphia 76ers Nerlens Noel is playing for his NBA life now. With limited games, playing minutes, and the fast approach of an NBA Trade Deadline, Will Nerlens Noel Play Enough Minutes to Impress the NBA?
There are holes. And then there are holes within holes. The Philadelphia 76ers are in a hole, trying to find a way to win 20 games or more in an 82 game season. Nerlens Noel is in a hole within that hole.
That’s just four games remaining in December, 15 games in January 2017, and just nine games in February 2017 before the February 23 Trade Deadline (3 p.m. ET). With his three game showing so far, he will have a total of 31 games with which to showcase his talents to an NBA audience which consists of fans, scouts, and team executives.
Complicating the matter is the perception by many NBA teams that Nerlens Noel’s conduct recently flags him as a risky prospect. In fact, per Adrian Wojnarowski from the Vertical, they discussed the matter. Adrian Wojnarowski on The Vertical Podcast with Woj:
"Nerlens Noel in Philly, the research teams have done on him is not good. They don’t get good reports back on their intel, how he’s carried himself there, of his habits. It’s not a great return. So, there are teams willing to do deal and bring him in, but they don’t want to give up much."
In the end, NBA teams seek reasons to discount. The Philadelphia 76ers must prepare to be equally vigilant in finding reasons to seek a premium for Noel.