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NBA trade rumor: Sixers talking Noel for Teague swap with Hawks

Is this the end of The Process as we know it?

Philadelphia 76ers v New York Knicks Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

The first big rumor of the offseason has the Sixers and Hawks talking about a potential deal swapping Nerlens Noel for Jeff Teague.

To me (and many Sixers fans) this deal seems like just the kind of short-term fix that doesn't fit their long term timeline very well. Teague is a very good player and probably a good return for Noel in a vacuum. But unless several other moves are made, he's a bad fit for a young, developing roster years away from competing. Not only that, but he'd be an expensive guy to re-sign when his deal is up after next year.

If the Sixers trade Nerlens Noel for Jeff Teague, The Process is dead - SBNation.com

Teague will also likely put up huge box score numbers in 2016-17 as the only fully functional guard on the team (no offense to Robert Covington or Ish Smith), and given the price the Sixers will have paid for him, it'd be a disaster for Philly to let him walk. Teague will be mighty expensive next summer if the Sixers trade for him this summer.

The Sixers have finally landed the top overall pick that they have coveted for so long. A lot of their roster decisions will depend on which guy they select.

Simmons seems like a natural selection for the Sixers, and he could be a great point-power-forward for them. However, that would add another "big" to their bloated big man rotation that will also include Dario Saric. Trading one of their bigs seems logical but that's easier said than done.

There have been rumors that the Sixers have talked to the Celtics about trading Jahlil Okafor—presumably for the Nets pick that became the 3rd pick. They might still be interested in that deal because they could have their eyes on Kris Dunn. The Teague-Noel news might be an indication that the Celtics were not interested in that package and like their other options at No. 3 better.

An added ripple effect could take place as well. If the Hawks get Noel, they might be less inclined to pay up to bring Al Horford back on a max contract. He's someone that the Celtics have been rumored to be interested in as well.

Regardless, the Sixers are definitely a team to keep an eye on as the draft approaches.

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