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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Feb 13, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) reacts after a missed shot in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. The 76ers defeated the Hornets 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) reacts after a missed shot in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. The 76ers defeated the Hornets 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Reason II: Nerlens Noel Fixes Boston Celtics Run In Playoffs This Season

The Boston Celtics have made it to the NBA playoffs, but were turned away in the quarterfinals in the past two years.  This season, the team is entering the playoffs with the center who helped deny them last year.

But the Atlanta Hawks are still winning.  In fact, the Hawks loaded up with wiley veteran Dwight Howard. The Toronto Raptors are winning, and they just loaded up on Serge Ibaka. Even the Cleveland Cavaliers, the defending NBA Champions, are winning and loading up on talent, Kyle Korver was the latest but the Cavaliers are still shopping.

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Boston is a good team, as much as it pains me to say it.  But they are not honed and hardened for a deep playoff run yet.  They have holes that can be exploited.  In fact, they struggle this season against good teams.   Those are the same teams they will face in the playoffs.

The Moment Is Now

Ignore the long term.  The moment for the Celtics is now.  Nerlens Noel is a huge fix to the Celtics. The Celtics need his defense in the paint to get past the good teams.  If the Celtics can defend the interior, that gives fast hand players like Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley, or Isaiah Thomas a chance to get busy and cause turnovers.

What would it cost the Celtics?  Well, at this point in the season, it would likely not be that Nets first round pick.  Since Boston has the Nets pick firmly in hand, and is in a “win now” mode, I would venture that they would be willing to part with small forward Jaylen Brown, and two of the three second round picks in the 2017 NBA Draft.

So what would that look like?