Nerlens Noel and the Mavericks remain far apart in contract negotiations, reports Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. The 23-year-old big man is a restricted free agent, and as such, the Mavs can match any offer another team might tender for Noel’s services.
“We’re very disappointed with where things stand. Nerlens loves Dallas and spent June there working out, but we’re still waiting on a serious offer,” said Happy Walters, Noel’s agent.
For his part, Mavs owner Mark Cuban is unwilling to provide any details about the negotiations.
Sefko points out that 13 Mavericks currently have guaranteed contracts, meaning that only two roster spots remain. After the 76ers traded Noel to the Mavs in late February, he played 22 games, averaging 8.5 PPG and 6.8 RPG in 22.0 MPG, shooting a strong 57.5% from the floor. Noel, known for his defense, also posted 1.1 BPG and 1.0 SPG. Down the stretch, Noel’s minutes were lowered, so that the Mavs could get a look at up-and-coming players, as well as keep their win total down.
According to Sefko, Noel has limited options. He could accept whatever the Mavericks offer, despite these numbers not being to Noel’s liking. Noel could also sign the Mavs’ qualifying offer, which is about $6MM, and will remain on the table until October 16. Finally, the big man could sign an offer sheet with another team that has sufficient salary cap space.
Since none of these possibilities appear imminent, Sefko concludes that a continuation of the standoff between Noel and the Mavs is very likely. The stalemate could last well into the summer.
He isn’t worth a 90M contract that’s why Philly shipped him out. He isn’t anywhere near worth a 18M+ a year contract. Watched him play for 3 years, didn’t put in the work to develop. Need to invest in a watch so he’s not late for meetings or practice.
Good role player, shouldn’t be paid like he’s the guy. If you gave him the same salary as his rookie wage scale or a few mil a year more he’s a good investment.
Id give him $11M/yr for 3 years
He hasn’t proved he’s worth the 6m either
I like Noel, I hope he gets paid correctly
Sounds like he’s frustrated with the offers he’s gotten from other teams, or lack thereof. I think he would be smart to sign a 1/2 year deal and get his numbers up. He has a ton of potential, but he’s not where he thinks he is, not yet anyways
The reason why no other team has offered him a deal is because he is restricted and the Mavs can and will probably match it, so they feel like it isn’t worth their time to waste their time on a guy they probably won’t get and focus on the guy(s) that they can get
The nets offer insane money to Restricted Free agents every year and just traded their center, if they didn’t offer him a deal, then the Mavs are doing the right thing
I know people close to Noel and what he wants is ridiculous. let’s just say he wants more than a Drummond contract.
He has the opportunity to be a valuable player on a young team w/ talent and money. What is he thinking?
I also went to the same school in New Hampshire as him, he graduated a few years before I got there but everyone that knew him said that all he cared about was basketball. He would complain and not go to classes and then show up to practice. He wasn’t even working out when he didn’t go to class, he would be in his room being lazy and then just showing up to practice and then as soon as practice was over he would go back to his room and do nothing. I also know someone who worked at his old public school and he said the same thing, he would never go to class and just show up for practice, which is why he got kicked out of that public school and why he went to the boarding school. He is a guy who was tabbed as a top high school player and he decided that he didn’t have to do any more work and that everything will just go his way. He is unwilling to put in extra work because he feels that because he was ONCE considered a top high school player and had the POSSIBILITY of becoming an NBA star that he deserves superstar money. This guy needs to put in work and earn his money. Believe me, I think that if he does put in the work he can become a top 30 player in the NBA and get paid like one but that’s if he realizes that he needs to put in the work first.
I passed by Noel at Toys R Us yesterday and let me tell you, his contract expectations are completely absurd.
Lmao I’m assuming you live in LA
Bunch of name droppers here. Ohh Noel didn’t want to go to high school class. News flash that’s like 90 percent of teenagers. Work ethic and high class attendance are two different things so we’re clear. Noel can sign the one year tender and get what he wants next year with no restricted business. Dallas being smart financially but not taking care of now now is dumb. They have money, pay him now so he is willing to take a bargain later when you guys develop the team later.
You guys realize that you can’t graduate and move on to college if you don’t at least attend enough class to pass the course, right?
So he must have gone to enough obviously….
Lol that is not true my friend. Athletes get special privileges and treatment especially in these prep schools. Don’t be so naive have these athletes probably haven’t even taken their own SAT or ACT tests.
Half*
Yeah give him a max deal and when he hits free agency again at 27 he will give you a “bargain deal” ah right.
Just take 5 years 75mil sounds reasonable right?
They are probably offering something like that and he probably wants something like 5/130 i.e. the max.
BINGO
I wouldnt give him 15 a year at this point. 8-10/yr will be more likely for a 3-4 yr contract.
I would give him 70-80 because he has unlimited potential and he hasn’t done anything yet. It a risk but he fits in today’s NBA perfectly.
Noel not worth. He’s limited in a big way offensively. He’s also one snapped ACL away from being a complete bust. Complained last year in philly. Would have been a great off the bench guy but thinks he’s a starter.
He complained cause as part of the Process, Philly was only playing 2 of their lottery pick players so who would be happy about not playing in their RFA year. Also who isn’t a torn acl away from derailing their career?
His leverage is non existent IMO. Market for big s isn’t there this off-season, and the only teams that need them have no money. Smart move by Dallas to wait it out. Either he takes a 4 year deal in the $11-14 million per range for security or take the qualifying offer and see how he does in a market with even less cap space next off-season, after a draft that’s supposed to be topped by bigs…
Dallas also has other bigs they can play, and they didn’t give up much for him, so they have every reason to wait this out as long as they need to
Go to the Suns Noel for a new Are Pheonix has a bright future !!!
Dallas’ is brighter