Prior to last night's Sixers loss to the Kings, forward/center Nerlens Noel was scratched due to patellar tendinitis in his right knee, the opposite leg of the one had ACL surgery back in 2012-13 at Kentucky. Jerami Grant started in his place and scored seven points to go along with six rebounds and four blocks. Noel's injury could keep him out of commission for a little while, so his participation in this weekend's Rising Stars Challenge in Toronto is up in the air.
"I don't know enough to talk now about [the injury]," said Brown. "I don't think he will. He will go up and represent the club, but I don't believe he will." [LibertyBallers.com]
Noel played in the challenge last season and scored four points, grabbed four rebounds and also had two steals and two blocks in Team USA's 121-112 loss to the World.
This season for the Sixers, Noel is averaging 10.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. His 53.3 percent field-goal percentage is good for eighth best in the NBA.
Sixers reportedly call Hawks about Teague, Schroder
An NBA league source told Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer that the Sixers have contacted the Hawks regarding their desire to trade veteran point guard Jeff Teague and possibly backup Dennis Schroder. The sources that Pompey has spoken to don't expect Philadelphia to make a strong push for either of them prior to the trade deadline though, since the Sixers main trade assets, Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor, are unlikely to moved. Until the Sixers find out whether Joel Embiid can get healthy and compete, trading Noel or Okafor would be an extremely risky move.
Jeff Teague, under contract through next season, is averaging 15.1 points and 5.4 assists in 28 minutes per game. Meanwhile, his backup, Dennis Schroder, has proven his ability to run the Hawks offense, averaging 10.8 points and 4.5 assists in 20 minutes per game. The third-year point guard is on tap to earn $2.7M next season with a qualifying offer the following year.
The Hawks currently lead the Southeast division and stand fourth in the Eastern Conference at 31-24, well below their 43-12 line from last season at this time. Atlanta has been rumored to be willing to part ways with not only one of their point guards, but Al Horford, who's contract expires after the season, and Kyle Korver as well.
Brandon Apter, Managing Editor for Sixerdelphia.com
