Ever since Nerlens Noel was traded to the Dallas Mavericks back on February 23, 2017, many fans believed that Noel would be a major building piece for the Mavericks future.
Noel, who is only 23 years-old, played 22 games for the Mavericks during the 2016-2017 season averaging 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 1.0 steal per game.
The Mavericks appreciated his production this season and management feels that Noel can be a huge and growing part of the team. Management also knew when they made the trade that Noel would be a restricted free agent once the summer began. Management has given every indication that they see Noel being a member of the Dallas Mavericks for the long term but a deal between the Mavericks and Noel appears to be in a stall with no resolution in sight.
It’s a tough situation for the Mavs and Noel. Noel would love to be a Maverick, but he does not want to be lowballed. According to Noel’s agent Happy Walters, they’re “waiting on a legitimate offer from the Mavs, until that time, Nerlens is training in L.A. until camp opens.”
Noel is a restricted free agent so he doesn’t have the free will to look and go to any team without the Mavericks having some type of input because the Mavericks can match any offer sheet that Noel is given.
The market does not appear to be huge for Noel. Its been reported that the Atlanta Hawks are the only team willing to give Noel a max contract of an offer sheet.
It’s a tough situation for the Mavs because it comes back to the question that Mavs fans and management have been having since Noel was traded to the Mavericks and that is if Nerlens Noel is a max contract type of player. The Mavs went all in on trading Noel shortly before the trade deadline so there is no doubt the Mavericks absolutely believe in him, but due to the fact that he is a young 23 year-old who has some injuries and has never actually had a season where he gave mad contract level potential, the skepticism is obviously there from the part of the Mavericks and nobody can really blame them on that.
I personally believe that in due time the Mavericks will resign Nerlens Noel. We are three and a half weeks into free agency, we will have to wait and see if anything gets done.
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