NBA Rumors: Hawks, Sixers Working On Jeff Teague-Nerlens Noel Swap
After coming out on top in the NBA Draft Lottery last month, the Philadelphia 76ers now own the number one overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Although the team’s stance may be altered leading up to draft day on June 23, Philadelphia seems destined to draft Ben Simmons and may not be done there with the Sixers potentially making a trade involving big man Nerlens Noel.
According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, the 76ers may be working on a deal to send Noel to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for point guard Jeff Teague:
Atlanta and Philadelphia are discussing a deal centered on a Jeff Teague and Nerlens Noel package, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 2, 2016
Once the news broke about the 76ers landing the top pick in the upcoming draft, rumors began to surface about the team’s willingness to trade two of their best players. Jahlil Okafor and Noel are reportedly on the trading block with one or both players potentially suiting up for another team next season.
As for the Hawks, Teague’s name has been mentioned in trade rumors more than once this year with the veteran guard once linked to the Indiana Pacers. It appears it may be only a matter of time before Teague is sent elsewhere with the team seemingly intent on trading him while his value remains high.
The Hawks will be in for a long summer with the team potentially losing one of their best players on the open market come July. Al Horford will become an unrestricted free agent in July along with small forward Kent Bazemore. Although Horford has expressed a desire to stay with the only NBA team he’s ever played for, the veteran forward will be courted by many different teams this summer potentially making it difficult for the Hawks to retain him.
