Report: Raptors contacted Sixers about Nerlens Noel

Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors have a backup plan should Bismack Biyombo walk this offseason.

The Raptors have approached the Philadelphia 76ers regarding a deal involving big man Nerlens Noel, ESPN's Zach Lowe reports, citing league sources. Toronto is willing to send out a rotation player in return, in hopes of using Noel as its backup center. However, the talks have yet to gain much traction.

Toronto will likely struggle to retain both DeMar Derozan and Biyombo this summer, leading the team to look at alternative options.

Philadelphia currently has a glut of young big men, and will likely need to move at least one prior to the beginning of the 2016-17 season.

In 62 games this past season, Noel averaged 11.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks on 52.1 percent shooting.