Report: Celtics Want Nerlens Noel
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Trade rumors have been rampant involving the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics. Originally, it seemed like Jahlil Okafor would be the odd (big) man out, but it appears the Celtics covet the another Philly big man.
According to Brian Geltzeiler, the Celtics' target is actually Nerlens Noel, not Okafor.
League sources tell https://t.co/aPhi5ponKj that the Celtics' target in trade talks with Philadelphia is Nerlens Noel.
— Brian Geltzeiler (@BGeltzNBA) June 21, 2016
HBO's and Boston sports fan Bill Simmons doesn't think the Celtics would trade the No. 3 pick for Okafor.
The Celtics aren't trading the 3rd pick for Okafor. That would be idiotic right now - Philly has a big man logjam and zero trade leverage.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) June 22, 2016
Last month, ESPN's NBA insider Chad Ford said there is a "very high likelihood" the Sixers trade Okafor or Noel. More recently, Ford speculated on two Sixers trades and both involved Okafor.
The Celtics have eight total picks in Thursday's draft: Nos. 3, 16, and 23 in the first-round plus Nos. 31, 35, 45, 51, and 58 in round two.
The Sixers own picks Nos. 1, 24, and 26. They also have a plethora of big men with Joel Embiid and Dario Saric, in addition to the aforementioned Okafor and Noel.