The Sixer Sense
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Five Reasons Philadelphia 76ers Trade Celtics At NBA Trade Deadline

By Bret Stuter

Dec 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (right) talks with center Jahlil Okafor against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (right) talks with center Jahlil Okafor against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Rumors have run amok recently. Here are five reasons why the Boston Celtics will trade with the Philadelphia 76ers by NBA trade deadline

The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are one of the NBA’s oldest and most heated rivalries. That “heat” has cooled off in recent years, as either or both teams have not hotly contested the NBA Playoffs.

However, that is beginning to change.  The Boston Celtics sit as the second seed in the NBA Eastern Conference, and are playing some good basketball right now. Offensively, the Celtics are among the top ten in the league, currently scoring an average of 108.4 points per game, good for sixth.  Defensively, the team is in the middle of the pack, surrendering 105.6 points per game and only good enough for 15th in the NBA. It’s the perfect scenario for something to happen at NBA Trade deadline.

Short Window of Opportunity

While many see the Boston Celtics as a perennial powerhouse, that is not necessarily the case at all.  The team only has six players contracted through the end of 2018.  It’s 2017 now.  The window to “win it all” is very short in the NBA.  If the Celtics do not penetrate into the NBA Championship this season, fans and players may grow restless.

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Boston is in “Win Now” mode. But so far, the team has only loosely been associated in NBA Rumors, typically with the marquis names.  But Danny Ainge is shrewd, and has not been blind to moves made by the Cleveland Cavaliers nor the Toronto Raptors. Wisely, he now knows the moves of other teams, and can counter punch accordingly. Look for that to happen soon. The serious NBA Trade talks never make the public forum.

The All Star Break placed all 30 NBA team in the same city simultaneously. NBA Executives scout players together, and in doing so, have plenty of opportunity to discuss trade options with potential trade partners.  In fact, that is the likely scenario that found former Philadelphia 76ers executive Sam Hinkie discussing a possible trade of a center to the Boston Celtics last season.