The Nerlens Noel two-month standoff with the Dallas Mavericks finally came to an end Saturday when Noel decided to accept the one-year, $4.1 million qualifying offer to stay with the club that acquired him in a midseason trade last season.
An ESPN report came out last week claiming Nerlens Noel turned down a four-year, $70 million contract with the Mavericks. His former agent, Happy Walters, confirmed the report in a tweet after Noel switched agents just days before signing his free agent tender.
@ChrisBHaynes You can't rewrite history for @richpaul4 @mcuban offered a 4 year $70m deal and Nerlens passed. #diligencetweets
— Happy Walters (@Happywalters) August 26, 2017
So, why did the process take so long?
There appeared to be little market for the 23 year-old Noel who was armed with incredible talent and potential, but lacked offers from other franchises after three injury-plagued season in the league.
Noel missed his entire 2013-14 rookie season while recovering from ACL surgery. During the 2016-17 season, Noel averaged just 10.0 points and 7.5 rebounds, playing in just 51 games. He’s missed 135 out of a 328 possible games since entering the league.
When the Mavs offered Noel $70 million, Noel reportedly countered with a request for the maximum allowable under the CBA. The Mavs ultimately pulled their offer.
Noel now has to settle with the $4.1 million, in a one-year “prove yourself” deal.
Nerlens Noel clearly betting on himself with acceptance of $4.1M QO. He turned down 4-year, $70M Mavs offer made on July 1, sources say.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2017
The Mavericks would like Noel to be a long-term piece, but the Mavericks had to protect themselves in a situation like this. Although the league has changed tremendously since the days of Eric Dampier, the Mavericks were smart to be cautious in signing a big man with a noticeable injury history.
The Mavericks gave away Justin Anderson, Andrew Bogut and a protected first-round pick to get Noel, forfeiting valuable assets on a gamble that he would be a long-term piece for their franchise going forward. Now, Mark Cuban and company appear to be playing everything safe.
If Noel can improve on the 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks he averaged in 22 games with the Mavericks last season, the team may be more inclined to offer him a max contract.
The Mavericks won the stalemate., now, it’s Noel’s job to prove it next season, if he truly thinks he deserves it.
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