Why trade an asset or two for Noel when you can sign Biyombo?
Because:
1) Noel at 22 (with only 2 years of NBA experience) is already a better player then Biyumbo is at 23 after 5 years in the league
2) Because Noel is far more talented offensively, so has a much higher chance of one day becoming a two-way player - Biyumbo is as good as useless offensively
3) Because Noel is taller, longer and even more athletic with significantly higher upside
Why trade an asset or two when you can sign him next year without giving up something ?
1) Because it's an asset that is very much redundant right now
2) Because Noel is going to be a Restricted Free Agent, so Philly can effectively threaten to match all deals and enforce a team to trade for him (as Orlando did with Tobias Harris)
3) Because there are 30 NBA teams in the league, and even if he does become a free agent there is absolutely zero guarantee you will win the bid for his services
I seriously disagree with point number 1. Marcus Smart is not redundant. We don't have another player who can effectively guard the one, two, and three (and--in stretches--the four position).
Well, maybe Jae Crowded can. In my opinion, though, having multiple guys with real defensive versatility to be able to switch and guard multiple positions is crucial in having a strong defensive team. We have that. If we didn't have Marcus Smart, we would lose much of our defensive identity and versatility.
I agree that Noel is a versatile and good defender as well. I really like Nerlens and would love to go after him this summer. I don't think it's worth trading Marcus Smart for him, though.
Smart, despite his shooting struggles, is an integral part of what the current Celtics are about and the kind of team Ainge and Stevens are trying to mold.
I would be very surprised to see Marcus Smart not be a Celtic through at least the duration of his second contract.