There are NBA rumors hinting that the Philadelphia 76ers is close to trading Nerlens Noel to the New Orleans Pelicans as the team is still looking to find ways to balance its roster.

Noel, 22, is one of several young big men in the Sixers' roster right now. The sixth overall pick of the 2013 draft had been mentioned in a lot of trade rumors since the end of last season after reports went out that Joel Embiid is finally suiting up for the team this season.

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Embiid went on to play in the preseason and has made an impressive NBA debut against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, which made Noel more dispensable.

NBA analysts David Aldridge, Steve Aschburner, Fran Blinebury, Scott Howard-Cooper, Shaun Powell, John Schuhmann, Sekou Smith, Ian Thomsen and Lang Whitaker have all agreed that Noel is the center who is more likely to be traded this season after Embiid's 20-point, seven-rebound output in only 22 minutes of playing time during the loss to the Thunder, as per Sportsrageous.

There were also reports saying that Noel is "very open" to be moved to another squad as he expressed frustration about sharing the spotlight with Embiid and Jahlil Okafor, who are considered as "three starting-caliber centers," in Philly.

One NBA scout said that of the three, Noel is the most likely to be dealt as he is the "smallest" and least skilled in offense.

Noel is currently out for three to five weeks after undergoing surgery on his sore left knee. At the moment, Sixers head coach Brett Brown is still not feeling his frontcourt's logjam. But as soon as Noel returns, Coach Brown will definitely have some important decisions to make.

Aldridge noted in his NBA.com article that Noel will most probably go to the Pelicans as it is an "easy move for both teams." 

Noel wants out of the dilemma in Philadelphia while New Orleans needs a "more agile, mobile center" to pair with Anthony Davis and to defend the current crop of stretch fives in the league. Noel seems the perfect player to fit the bill.

Noel being in his rookie deal makes the trade much easier to work out while the Sixers can receive any expiring huge contract as they are nowhere near in filling their salary cap space at the moment.

Keep posted for more NBA trade rumors about the Sixers.

TagsNBA Trade Rumors, NBA Trade Rumors 2016, Nerlens Noel, philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans