The New York Knicks could explore a frontcourt pairing of Kristaps Porzingis and Nerlens Noel, with the latter emerging as a likely trade candidate for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Knicks are struggling to win games early in the season, despite significantly upgrading their roster this past summer. While it is too early to assess the Knicks' campaign this season, exploring the trade market could be a viable option for the team.
One of the potential trade targets the Knicks could consider is Philadelphia 76ers big man Nerlens Noel. ESPN's Marc Stein reported that the 76ers are still open to moving the 22-year-old center, with the team yet to address its crowded frontcourt comprised of Noel, Jahlil Okafor and Joel Embiid.
"Noel has yet to appear in a game this season after electing to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery last month, but word is he'd still prefer to be shipped to a new address with so many big men to battle for playing time in Philly. Count on the Sixers to accommodate him eventually," Stein wrote.
The Knicks have a variety of scoring options on the offensive end, but the team is struggling on the defensive end. The Knicks are eighth in the league in Opponent's Points per game, allowing an average of 106.5 points. They are also seventh in points allowed in the paint, with 45.7 points a game.
Adding Noel, who is averaging a career 1.7 blocks per game, would improve the Knicks' interior defense. His presence would create a defensive frontcourt with Porzingis and would make a "tantalizing proposition," according to Sports Illustrated's Fansided writer Maxwell Ogden.
"Given Noel's status a rising star on the defensive end of the floor, exploring the possibility of pairing him with Kristaps Porzingis is a tantalizing proposition," Ogden wrote.
However, trading for Noel could cost the Knicks one of their point guards, with Philadelphia lacking a reliable playmaker to run the point. Brandon Jennings, who signed a one-year contract this past summer, and Derrick Rose, who got traded to the Knicks in the offseason, are unlikely to get dealt.
Nevertheless, Jennings and Rose are on expiring contracts and if the Knicks continue to trend downhill, exploring sign-and-trade deals for either of the two could work for both teams.
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