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11/02/2024 01:28:01 pm

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NBA Trade Rumors: Sixers Ready to Send Nerlens Noel to Raptors; Toronto 'Hesitates'

Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel

(Photo : Getty Images) The Sixers are ready to give up Nerlens Noel, but the Raptors hesitated in pushing through with the deal.

The Philadelphia 76ers are rumored to be ready to send Nerlens Noel to Toronto, but the Raptors are reportedly hesitant about breaking the rhythm of their young frontcourt should the former Kentucky center comes in.

Toronto currently has a thin frontcourt with the exits of Bismack Biyombo and Luis Scola during the summer's free-agency period as well as the injury of new acquisition Jared Sullinger.

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At the moment, Jonas Valanciunas is the team's only real big man threat with rookie Jakob Pöltl and Lucas Nogueira as his backups. Presently rotating at the power forward spot are veteran Patrick Patterson and rookie Pascal Siakam, who are clearly not enough to ease the burden off the team's All-Star backcourt of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.

Metro reported that the Raptors has been reaching out to the Sixers for Noel, who had been the subject of many trade rumors since the beginning of the offseason especially after he disclosed to reporters his concerns about his future in Philadelphia.

"I feel like it definitely needs to be figured out," Noel said during the Sixers' media day before the new season began. "I think at the end of the day, again, you have three starting-caliber centers. And it's just not going to work to anybody's advantage having that on the same team. That's how I'm looking at it. I'm not opposed to anything, but things need to be situated."

Rumors said that Philly is asking for veteran point guard Corey Joseph and a future first-round pick in exchange for Noel as Sixers head coach Brett Brown seeks an experienced floor general to orchestrate the young team's offense.

However, Bleacher Report recently noted that the Raptors suddenly hesitated about pulling the trigger on the deal and would like to give "their young frontcourt players a chance to earn minutes for the time being."

Noel is still expected to be traded as soon as he comes back from a minor knee surgery even if Toronto completely backs out from the deal. The Cavaliers, Celtics, Blazers, Pelicans, and Warriors are also interested in getting the 22-year-old center, according to latest reports.

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