NBA Rumors: Buzz Surrounding George Hill, Nerlens Noel and More
The 2016-17 NBA season is in its infancy, but the rumor mill is already churning as contenders look to bolster their rotations and rebuilding teams search for additional building blocks.
While there will be more rumors and speculation when the Feb. 23 trade deadline is closer, marquee players such as Iman Shumpert and Nerlens Noel have generated some buzz in the early going.
With that in mind, here is a look at some of the latest speculation surrounding those two players, as well as George Hill's contract situation with the Utah Jazz.
Cavaliers Not Searching for Shumpert Trades
Shumpert has taken something of a backseat in the Cleveland Cavaliers rotation, and Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com noted a few teams have asked about the swingman in potential trade talks.
However, Vardon cited a source who said the Cavaliers "are not actively looking to deal him."
Shumpert averaged 5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in 54 contests in 2015-16 and is playing a career-low 20.8 minutes per night through the first five games this season.
It is a testament to the depth of the defending champions that Shumpert isn't a featured cog in the machine. Kyrie Irving and J.R. Smith are the two primary guards, LeBron James can handle the ball, and Mike Dunleavy and James Jones are impressive three-point shooters.
Nevertheless, Shumpert would be an attractive piece on the trade market because of his contract and the fact he is such a valuable defender. Vardon reported Shumpert has three years and $30 million left on his deal.
As for the defense, opponents are shooting 5 percentage points worse than their normal averages from beyond 15 feet and 4.5 percentage points worse from three-point range when Shumpert guards them, per NBA.com. He is 6'5" and can bother perimeter scorers with his length and athleticism.
If the Cavaliers ultimately changed their mind and did try to trade Shumpert, plenty of teams would likely line up to add a defender like that with a friendly contract.
Noel's Future May Be Limited in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia 76ers are still in the middle of a rebuilding process, but they have a logjam in the frontcourt.
According to David Aldridge of NBA.com, they are looking to move Noel as a result. Marc Stein of ESPN.com called Noel "very available" and pointed to the Toronto Raptors as one potential suitor, given Jared Sullinger's injury.
Philadelphia has 22-year-old Joel Embiid as a building block and Jahlil Okafor (the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 draft) as another piece who is loaded with offensive potential. Okafor averaged 17.5 points per night behind 50.8 percent shooting from the field in his rookie campaign.
Elsewhere, the versatile Ben Simmons could even play power forward if needed when he is healthy and ready to return to the court.
As for Noel, he hasn't played a game yet this season following minor knee surgery in October. He also missed his entire rookie campaign because of knee surgery after he entered the league in 2013 as the No. 6 overall pick.
When healthy, he is a double-double threat who posted 11.1 points and 8.1 boards per night last season. While there are concerns with Okafor's defense, Noel averaged 1.7 blocks in his first two seasons, and opponents shot 7.8 percentage points worse than their normal averages within six feet against him, per NBA.com.
Even with health concerns, the 76ers would likely receive plenty of assets in return for a 22-year-old defensive anchor, which could accelerate their rebuilding plans.
Hill Could Be Long-Term Answer in Utah
The 2016-17 season is Hill's first with the Utah Jazz, but it could also be his last.
However, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com said the Jazz see him "as a long-term fit and could attempt to sign him to an extension this season, preventing him from hitting the free-agency market in the summer."
Hill suggested he would be up for staying in Utah, per MacMahon:
"I'm not the type of guy that likes to move around and go from team to team. I really like it here. My family likes it here. I've got some friends here. The city's been great for me so far, and it's a nice place to raise a family, so hopefully I get an opportunity to re-sign here if they would love me to be here.
"
The first-round pick from the 2008 draft provides stable, veteran leadership on a team that features plenty of young pieces on its core with 21-year-old Dante Exum, 25-year-old Alec Burks, 26-year-old Gordon Hayward and 24-year-old Rudy Gobert.
Hill brings more than just leadership to the table, as he is off to a blazing start on the court as well. Entering play Friday, he was averaging 21.4 points, 4.6 assists and one steal per night. Hill never averaged more than 16.1 points per game in the first eight seasons of his career and is finding his rhythm in Utah's backcourt.
He is also shooting a head-turning 54.8 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three-point range as an offensive force in the backcourt.
It is no wonder the Jazz want to keep that production around for years to come.
