The Mavericks and Pistons recently “touched base” on trade talks in which Nerlens Noel was among the players discussed, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv. Begley adds that Noel has drawn interest from multiple playoff teams in need of rim protection.
Noel was traded from the Knicks to the Pistons over the summer in a salary-dump deal and isn’t part of Detroit’s regular rotation in a crowded frontcourt that features Isaiah Stewart, Marvin Bagley III, and rookie Jalen Duren. Noel has appeared in just six contests this season and hasn’t played more than six minutes in a game since November 4.
Still, the former lottery pick is only 28 years old and has some solid seasons on his NBA résumé, including his first year in New York in 2020/21. He averaged 5.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 2.2 BPG in 64 appearances (24.2 MPG) that season, providing energy and athleticism in the middle.
Since Noel has a team option for 2023/24, he’s essentially on an expiring contract, but his $9.24MM cap hit is sizable enough not to make him a positive asset. So if the Pistons hope to move him for anything of value, they may have to either attach another trade chip or take back some unwanted multiyear salary.
Dallas would be an interesting trade partner for the Pistons given that offseason signee JaVale McGee hasn’t gotten off to a great start as a Maverick, falling first out of the starting lineup, then out of the rotation entirely.
A report earlier this week suggested that the Mavs could explore the trade market for another center, with a preference for a defensive specialist who is a contrast to Christian Wood — Noel fits that bill. Plus, even though he earns more this season than McGee ($5.46MM), Noel’s expiring deal looks more team-friendly than McGee’s three-year contract, which will pay him $5.73MM next season with a $6MM+ player option for 2024/25 (he’ll turn 37 that season).
Noel had a previous stint in Dallas that began in February 2017 when he arrived in a trade from Philadelphia. That experience may have left a sour taste in his mouth, given that he turned down a $70MM offer from the Mavs as a free agent that summer, played on a $4.1MM qualifying offer during the 2017/18 season, and left Dallas in 2018 to sign a minimum-salary contract with Oklahoma City. Noel later filed a lawsuit against Rich Paul for the advice he received during that 2017 offseason; the case has since been redirected to NBA arbitration.
Have to wait til Dec 15 to trade mcgee
Why on Earth would DET even consider attaching an asset to Noel, or taking back multi-year salary of a player they don’t want?
If Noel is worthless to them, they can send him home or – if they want to do him a favor – release him with a minimum wage buyout.
If trade discussions are happening, it’s because DET is looking to get something they want; perhaps foolishly, but they want it.
Don’t believe rumors. Pistons GM Troy Weaver is next level good.
By record, he’s bad – real bad. But if you count losing as an accomplishment, then he’s truly great.
You can’t judge Troy Weaver by his record with the Pistons.
He inherited a mess that only time and patience can fix, and he’s done a remarkable job in these two years so far but it will be a little while longer before we see that in the standings.
I agree Doak.. kinda reminds me of Philadelphia in a way when they were purposely tanking during their rebuild but this Pistons team will be way better in 2 years. They shed salary and have $30-40 million to spend but instead of using it this past year they took on huge salary from the Knicks and picked up the 13th pick as well and got Duren. Yeah we want to see wins but we need to be patient. The foundation has been laid and should take off next year especially if they get lucky and get Wenbenyama or however you spell his name.
What about horrible signing Javale McGee was and we said that this summer. Told you he’d be out of the starting lineup after 20 games and here we are. He doesn’t even play. Plus two more years on the contract? Wow. Going after Nerlens Noel as a better option? Double wow.
haha, yeah, I agree. Of what need is Noel if you already have McGee? Their skills (rebounding and blocks) are similar but McGee is a slightly better scorer, stays healthier, and is already on the team. Odd rumor.
Dallas also has interest in bey
That would cost them a lot.
the Mavs had an opportunity to draft Bey (he was my choice, as well as most in their front office), but they ended up picking Josh Green instead (due to Bulgaris’ influence on Cuban). Who?? Exactly. Now, JG is starting to come around, but Bey has been pretty solid since his rookie year. His efficiency is subpar, but he’s still young and can make strides in the right system.
Noel does cause chaos for other teams
Mavs love picking up ex-Knicks
I am not sure if NY can trade for him, or not? NY needs to offload Reddish, Rose, Fournier. Maybe something can be worked out. I don’t see much with Dallas. Noel is barely an upgrade over Mcgee, if at all. Powell maybe? I think I’d rather keep Mcgee & Powell. Nice to get off of Mcgee’s salary next season, but thats about it.
You can play small ball with Noel. Noel is also a good perimeter defender for a big. He can cover stretch 4s. Lakers can use McGee. McGee can easily be traded imo.
Plus Noel can play with Woods. I can see that.
Noel spends more time on the trade block than actually playing in a game. Once this contract is up he’s likely on minimum contracts for the rest of his days. McGee looked awful.
Let’s go Nerl!!!!
Troy Weaver stole Bojan Bogdanović their leading scorer & extended immediately two more years. Troy is truly a great GM so don’t believe the smoke & wait for the trade. Troy wins-FULL STOP!
McGee and Noel are similar offensive “forces”, but completely different players defensively.
McGee is an exceptionally long and talented athlete who can still run into a spectacular block shot or dunk now and then. Although less so at 35. He’s never understood the game or reacted to it well enough to be much of a defender beyond that. 15 mpg is about as long as his attention span permits him to be anything but a liability. And he has to start, because coming off the bench is too complex for him.
Noel is a defensive ace, in every sense.
Stats make this clear. I think optics would as well. But for those not into either, ever wonder why he’s on a different team every year? Guess not.
If I was the GM. I would trade B Bogdanovic, Jalen Duren or I Stewart, I livers and for the ultimate burn R Mcgruder. Waive Mcgruder and not offer ring for J Wiseman, J Kumminga, D Divencnzo and J Green. Gives pistons a young center and SF loosing only Duren. Or trade J Wiseman and J Green for J Poeltl, G Dieng and ask for C Bassey if he really is 6’11
Then trade Noel for McGee and T Pinson and a 2nd
You play too much 2k…..
I don’t have any video games….