Nerlens Noel
Jan 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers centre Nerlens Noel (4) dribbles past guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (20) and New York Knicks center Kyle O'Quinn (9) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 98-97. USA TODAY Sports / Bill Streicher

The Los Angeles Lakers (15-27) recently contacted the Philadelphia 76ers (11-25) regarding a potential trade for centre Nerlens Noel, according to a fresh report.

The Lakers, under new coach Luke Walton, got off to a winning start through the first few months of the season until injuries and inexperience pegged the team back to a .357 record. Since the start of the new year, the Lakers have maintained a .500 record but the common consensus is that the team needs to make a few trades to make a late push for the eighth seed in the western conference. While very few analysts expect the Lakers to end their three-year playoff drought, the young squad could emerge as a postseason threat by the 2017-18 season.

Los Angeles Lakers trade targets: Nerlens Noel and Paul Millsap

According to Sean Deveney of SportingNews, the Lakers front office, led by Mitch Kupchak, has been actively engaged in trade discussions with several teams over the last month or so. Last week, The Vertical confirmed that the Lakers contacted the Atlanta Hawks regarding all-star forward Paul Millsap, who is reportedly off the trading block for now. "The (Los Angeles) Lakers have inserted themselves on trade talks this season and will continue to do so. They had talks with Atlanta (Hawks) about Paul Millsap and expressed interest in Nerlens Noel, if the Sixers decide to go ahead with a deal for him.

"But the best asset the Lakers can put forth is a future draft pick, probably not until 2021 depending on how the lottery plays out this May. That’s going to limit their activity on the market, and there is a chance they could even be a seller with a veteran such as Luol Deng," Deveney revealed in his report on Wednesday.

It's no secret that Noel and the Sixers are trying to go their separate ways. The former Kentucky big man has made no bones about his unhappiness with the situation in Philadelphia. Even though his playing time has increased over the last few weeks, Noel is still viewed as a reserve to starting centre Joel Embiid. Recently, Sixers general manager Bryan Colangelo insisted that the team wouldn't be hard pressed into "making a bad trade" for Noel. Therefore, the Lakers would have to be willing to give up a vital asset or two to get a deal done.

Nerlens Noel is highly likely to be dealt before the Feb. 23 trade deadline. It remains to be seen if he lands with the Purple & Gold or another team looking for a young, athletic rim protector.

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