Noel is not doing much for me. I see him as an energy defender who is just not going to develop offensively. I still like the trade because it freed us from Holiday money, but he is not a key piece to me. I'd take Okafor #1 right now and make him a PF next to Embiid.
Hmmm. Not sure what you expected from him his first year. He hasn't played many games the last 3 years and is very raw. He's a guy who will take a few years to develop into what he will eventually be as an NBA player.
He's never going to be a 1st, 2nd or even 3rd option on offense. That's not his game. You know that. I think he'll eventually be a double-double guy with 2-3 blocks a game. He also will get his share of steals and assists especially for a big man. He's going to play good defense and does need to obviously bulk up a bit. He can guard quicker guys on the perimeter if needed. The other night in that debacle against Memphis he was matched up with Conley, who torched us, on a switch and picked his pocket. Quick hands
He's not a key piece if you don't think Ben Wallace wasn't a key piece for the Pistons or don't think Noah is a key piece for the Bulls. As raw as Noel is on offense right now he's averaging more this year than Wallace did in his career.
Tonight was probably his best game.
19pts 9-12 FG
8 reb
2 blk
4 asst
3 stl
He leads all rookies in rebounds and steals. He's 2nd in blocks (to KJ McDaniels), 3rd in FG%, 6th in scoring 8th in assists. He has a long way to go, but he has some unique skills that guys his size don't normally have
That being said the Sixers still have to take BPA with where they are as an organization. If Okafor is there when they pick he'll be a 76er. They can divide the 96 minutes at the 4 and 5 spot between Embiid, Noel and Okafor or Hinkie can make a deal.