The Pistons very well could move center Nerlens Noel and shooting guard Alec Burks ahead of the February trade deadline, though it will likely be closer to the final weeks to make a deal, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Both players were acquired ahead of the season in a trade with the Knicks.
Noel, 28, is 6-foot-11 and has appeared in just five games this season. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, he has made a name for himself as someone who can be force when it comes to altering and blocking opposing shots.
Along with the Knicks and Pistons, Noel has also played for the 76ers, who drafted him, as well as the Mavericks and Thunder.
Burks, 31, is 6-6 and has played just five games with Detroit — but has been pretty good in all of them, averaging 15.4 points on 44 percent shooting, including 39 percent on 3-pointers.
After spending the first seven-and-a-half seasons of his career with the Jazz, Burks has become sort of a shooter-for-hire. He has also played for the Cavaliers, Kings, Warriors and 76ers, along with the Knicks and Pistons.
“Noel isn’t expected to finish the season with Detroit,” Scotto reported. “Burks has gotten off to a torrid start since returning to the lineup and is expected to draw interest from playoff-caliber teams closer to the trade deadline.”
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