The Philadelphia 76ers reportedly traded former Kentucky center Nerlens Noel to the Dallas Mavericks hours before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
Along with Anderson and the first-round pick – reportedly top-18 protected in 2017 – the Sixers received center Andrew Bogut. If Philadelphia does not collect on Dallas’ 2017 protected first-rounder, the pick will then option to two second-round selections, per Zach Lowe. The Mavericks are currently projected to select No. 7 overall according to DraftExpress.com, with a record of 22-34.Philadelphia is sending Nerlens Noel to Dallas for Justin Anderson and a first-round draft pick, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 23, 2017
Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported shortly after the deal broke that Philadelphia would work on trading Bogut before the 3 p.m. ET deadline. Should the Sixers be unable to find a deal, both sides would work towards a buyout agreement.Sources: If Sixers do not receive Mavs top-18 protected pick this season, it converts to 2 2nd-round picks: Mavs 2nds in 2017 and 2018.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) February 23, 2017
Noel played the 2012-13 season under John Calipari in Lexington. After tearing his ACL just 24 games into his Wildcat tenure, Noel fell to the No. 6 pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2013 NBA draft. Former 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie traded Jrue Holiday to the Pelicans in a deal centered around Noel. A log-jam at the center position by way of 2014 No. 3 pick Joel Embiid and 2015 No. 3 pick Jahlil Okafor led to an outspoken Noel – who will become a restricted free agent following this season – proclaiming the Sixers needed to move one of their big men. In 29 games so far this season Noel recorded seven starts, averaging 8.9 points, five rebounds, 1.4 steals and just under one block in 19 minutes of action per contest. Photo: Getty Images Follow Dennis on Twitter Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter And like ZAGS on FacebookSources: Barring unlikely landing spot by 3 PM ET, Andrew Bogut, 76ers beginning to engage on buyout talks. Bogut wants to be free agent.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 23, 2017