Nets: Five Reasonable Free Agent Targets in 2017

Nerlens Noel – Philadelphia 76ers

As the 76ers continue to stock up on big men, rumors surfaced this offseason that Philly was considering shopping Noel. The Boston Celtics were a team continuously named in connection with Noel, but ultimately no trade materialized, and Noel remains in the City of Brotherly Love.

Noel will be a restricted free agent after the 2016-17 season, meaning the Sixers can match any offer sheet he signs with another team. But with a roster consisting of Ben Simmons, Jahlil Okafor, Joel Embiid, Dario Saric, and Noel, it’s feasible to think that perhaps all of them are not in Philly’s long term future.

Of course, if Noel was to depart, the Sixers would likely prefer it be via a trade, so they can recoup something in return. But if he hits free agency as expected, the Nets should consider signing Noel. The Nets have Brook Lopez, Trevor Booker, Luis Scola, and Chris McCullough currently on the roster, but Noel is an athletic big man who will enter restricted free agency at just 23 years-old next year. He would give the Nets another young piece to build around, and while he wouldn’t come cheap, this move may be worth it for Brooklyn.

Next: Restricted Shooting Guard