Portland Trail Blazers in the hunt for Nerlens Noel
The Portland Trail Blazers might be close to make another trade with Detroit, this time for a backup center.
Starting December 15, most NBA players can be traded without restrictions. Many will change teams, especially from those franchises that are struggling this season.
One team that will probably be incentivzed to cut bait are the Detroit Pistons. Last in the Eastern Conference standings at 8-26, Detroit has a player who could be very useful to the Portland Trail Blazers.
In addition to Bojan Bogdanovic and Saddiq Bey, who will most likely leave the Pistons shortly. Center Nerlens Noel is also close to moving and probably has his luggage in hand. Noel is out of coach Dwane Casey’s rotation and his time in the Motor City seems to be up.
The Blazers could use Noel
Relations between the two franchises are excellent. Detroit already had some talks with the Portland Trail Blazers about a Noel trade. But not exclusively with Rip City. They are also talking to other teams, like Sacramento and Dallas.
The feeling, however, is that a deal with the Blazers could be close. Noel would make for an excellent sixth man off the bench for coach Chauncey Billups.
On a team lacking size, he would hold down the middle on a second unit that also has Nassir Little, Drew Eubanks, Shaedon Sharpe, and Justise Winslow. That is when everyone is healthy.
A win-win-win
Meanwhile moveing the veteran big man would give more playing time to Detroit’s other developing young players. He probably wouldn’t be that expensive either, maybe a second round pick or two.
It all depends on the competition. Dallas could be a contender for his services. He played for the Mavs from 2016 to 2018.
For Noel, joining the Portland Trail Blazers could reignite his career. There are worse jobs in the NBA than backing up Jusuf Nurkic.
What do you think about the Portland Trail Blazers trying to trade for Nerlens Noel?