In hopes of salvaging their team into the top 8 in the Western Conference, the Dallas Mavericks shipped center Andrew Bogut and sophomore guard Justin Anderson to Philadelphia for Nerlens Noel as confirmed by Philly.com.
Noel is expected to inject youth to the Mavs' aging front court and his defensive prowess to the 22-34 Dallas. The 6-foot-11 big man is a known rim protector and overall defensive player during his collegiate years in Kentucky which proved to be his ticket being the New Orleans Pelicans' 6th pick in the 2013 draft but was sent to Philly with 42nd pick Pierre Jackson the next day for Jrue Holiday.
"I love the city so much and all the support the fans showed through the losing seasons," the former Wildcat said when asked about the recent move. "The way they had my back on everything this season means a lot," he added.
In his two and a half seasons with the Sixers, he posted averages of 10.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.6 blocks per game despite his recurring issues with his knees. As a 22-year old playing the center position, he is surely the Mavericks' projected big man in the long run.
In exchange, coach Brett Brown will be receiving a veteran big man in Bogut, who can also be a big part of the team's rebuilding process as he can contribute sharing his 11-year experience with up and coming youngsters in Jahlil Okafor, Joel Embiid and rookie Ben Simmons.
The former top pick of the 2005 NBA draft out of University of Utah, Bogut will be playing for his 4th team after spending his first 6 seasons with Milwaukee Bucks, a 4-year tenure with the Golden State Warriors where he won an NBA championship in 2015, and just recently with Dallas. He holds career averages of 10 points, 8.9 boards, 2.3 assists and 1.6 blocks.
Anderson, the Mavericks' underdeveloped backcourt, was picked 21st two years ago was able to crack few minutes in coach Rick Carlisle's rotation. The 6-foot-6 former Virginia Cavalier, however, was sent back and forth to Texas Legends to hone his talents more. He averaged 5.1 points and 2.7 rebounds with Dallas during this 106 games with the team.
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