NBA Trade Rumors for 2016-17 NBA Season: Nerlens Noel to Toronto Raptors, Tony Allen to be Traded
The following are the latest trade rumors for the 2016-17 NBA Season.
1. Nerlens Noel to Toronto Raptors
According to the latest rumors, the Philadelphia 76ers will definitely trade Nerlens Noel before the trade deadline.
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Two teams that are said to be interested in Noel are the Toronto Raptors and the Portland Trail Blazers.
One indication that the Sixers will trade Noel is the fact that he hasn't played much this season, despite the fact that he is healthy and has shown in the past that he is capable of putting up big numbers.
Despite lack of minutes this season, Noel is certainly capable of playing starter in the power forward position. The Sixers just have a front court log jam, with talents including Jahlil Okafor, Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Dario Saric and even Richaun Holmes.
According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, "There are a couple of teams to watch on the Noel front, the biggest being the Toronto Raptors. It is unlikely that the Raptors mess with their team chemistry in moving a core player, but if the 76ers want some of the Raptors young player or non-core parts, Toronto would have interest in Noel."
Getting a young player like Noel is good for any team, including the Raptors. It's not guaranteed immediate success, but it's a good risk, and at the very least, will help the team gain wind for the second half of the season.
2. Tony Allen to be Traded
A tweet by Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal suggests that the Memphis Grizzlies may trade away Tony Allen, one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. The tweet says, "Teams are gauging interest in Tony Allen and Griz are listening, per sources. Griz engaged T'Wolves with Allen trade talk in 2014."
While Allen is already beyond his prime years, he is still one of the best wing defenders in the NBA. In fact, according to Kobe Bryant, Allen is the best defender he has ever gone up against.
So why would the Grizzlies trade Tony Allen? It's probably due to the fact that his contract is expiring, and he has the option of leaving the team for nothing. Moreover, it does seem that the team is in good shape even without Allen. Memphis currently has a standing of 18 wins and 11 losses, putting them at 6th place in the Western Conference.
