The Sixer Sense
Fansided

How Philadelphia 76ers trading Nerlens Noel changed NBA center market

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 17: Jahlil Okafor #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on March 17, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Mavericks 116-74. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 17: Jahlil Okafor #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on March 17, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Mavericks 116-74. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
1 of 5

When the Philadelphia 76ers traded center Nerlens Noel, the NBA’s appetite for young star-potential bigs seemed endless. But in a lesson of be careful what you wish for, both the Dallas Mavericks and Nerlens Noel learned the market crashed

Be careful what you wish for, as you just might get it.  While that saying did not originate with the Philadelphia 76ers, it certainly could have. At least where former 76ers center Nerlens Noel is concerned.

Until the Philadelphia 76ers traded Noel, there was a perception that centers were rare and irreplaceable. Previous free agent centers signed for top dollar.  And those contracts were used to set new demands.

Perhaps the first sign of the dam breaking was the outcome of the Sacramento Kings attempts to deal center DeMarcus Cousins. At the time, the narrative surrounding the eventual trade sending Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans was almost humorous:

In short, it appeared that the Kings dealt themselves a worse trade than a previous offer.  At the time, not much was made of the situation.  But the Philadelphia 76ers would add another hit to the value of the NBA center.