Sixers Trade Best Player for Center With Bad Knees…Again


Somewhere deep in the Philadelphia 76ers bylaws, there exists a little known provision that stipulates the team must trade its best player every single season for a seven-foot-tall center with bad knees. Last year they booted Andre Iguodala for Andrew Bynum, who did not play a game for the team. But that was apparently part of the plan, since it gave new GM Sam Hinkie cover to do it all over again.

Last night during the NBA draft, the 76ers traded (All-Star) point guard Jrue Holiday for (completely unproven and currently injured) University of Kentucky center Nerlens Noel, who was selected sixth by the New Orleans Pelicans, and has a torn ACL in his left knee. They also gave up a future 2013 second-rounder for a protected first-round draft pick from the Pels. Their new point guard will be Syracuse guard Michael Carter-Williams, whom they selected with the 11th pick.

Not thrilled by this news? Here’s some more pessimism for you: Two of the top three “busts” in this ranking? Noel and Carter-Williams. [ESPN]