Nerlens Noel took a big risk when he turned down a four-year, $70 million extension offer from the Dallas Mavericks in 2017. He instead signed the qualifying offer, which would have made him a free agent the following NBA offseason.
Noel felt he could make more money as an unrestricted free agent the next offseason. It was a risk that didn’t pan out for Noel, as he struggled during the 2017-18 season. Since that extension offer from the Mavericks, he has played on three one-year deals; two for the minimum with the Oklahoma City Thunder and one with the New York Knicks for $5 million.
However, while it had been four years in the making, Noel looks like he will be able to cash in this offseason. The former Kentucky product had a remarkable season with the Knicks and has put himself in line for a multi-year deal worth $12-15 million per season.
Noel was the only player in the NBA to average at least one steal and block this season, averaging 1.1 steals and 2.2 blocks despite playing only 24.2 minutes per game. He battled some nagging injuries throughout the season, but when he was on the court, he was an anchor for the Knicks in the middle.
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Noel won’t provide much offensively, but he provides elite-level defense. If he were to develop even one go-to move offensively and average 10 points per game, he would probably receive a max contract.
New York would undoubtedly like to retain Nerlens Noel, as he was a great one-two punch with Mitchell Robinson, but there will be a lot of teams angling to sign him. Which teams could go after him? Here are three teams who need to pursue Noel in free agency.
