Mavs Moneyball - Nerlens Noel signs qualifying offer: all our coverageRick Carlisle approved.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50869/mmb-fav.png2017-09-01T14:28:20-05:00http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/rss/stream/159751632017-09-01T14:28:20-05:002017-09-01T14:28:20-05:00What if the Nerlens Noel negotiations were on Shark Tank?
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<p>We have some fun with the latest news.</p> <p id="HDEmXu">All summer two <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> have dominated the headlines and neither of them are <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span>: Dennis Smith Jr. for his <a href="https://twitter.com/TommyBeer/status/890560881351962624">high flying ‘hold my beer’ highlights</a> and <span>Nerlens Noel</span>. The ‘second coming of <span>Tyson Chandler</span>’ just recently signed a deal to return to the Mavericks but not the deal anyone expected him to sign. </p>
<p id="72hLWH">As Obi Wan Kenobi once said, “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIQUrrbNW_Q">You were right about one thing master, the negotiations were short</a>.” There was no big pitch meeting with <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2016/7/2/12088416/tom-brady-celtics-boston-kevin-durant-nba-free-agency-thunder">big name stars</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptT9Le6N9xI&t=20s">cartoon caricatures</a> to try and entice Noel. <a href="https://twitter.com/fishsports/status/880927748721659905">A simple phone call</a> was all Nerlens wanted to <a href="https://twitter.com/ESefko/status/881015429803552768">discuss his future</a> with the Mavericks. But what if it wasn’t a phone call? What if the negotiations happened on Mark Cuban’s turf and played by his rules?</p>
<p id="8nUUJm">If the contract negotiations for Nerlens Noel happened on <strong>Shark Tank</strong> it might go something like this:</p>
<h4 id="okKOT7"><em>*based on true events, but most of this dialogue is fictional unless linked and should not be taken seriously, but we know…someone will.</em></h4>
<p id="mbgwJl">Nerlens Noel sauntered down the hallway with his agent, armed and ready to give a pitch to the Mavericks front office and any other interested NBA teams. Head Coach Rick Carlisle, President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Donnie Nelson, and Owner Mark Cuban were in attendance to get a deal done. </p>
<p id="P1qhDU">Before the pitch begins Nelson starts by reminding everyone, “Now, as a condition of this process if both parties cannot agree on a deal then our offer of $4 million for 1 year must be signed. This is to ensure that there is no scenario where a deal does not get done. Does everyone understand?”</p>
<p id="w36qD6">*<em>nodding</em>”</p>
<p id="UhutE3">“Ok, go ahead guys,” Cuban says as he smiles and winks at Nerlens who responds with a furrowed brow. </p>
<p id="CG54sW">“Hello Sharks, my name is Happy Walters…”</p>
<p id="MQg6n6">(<em>We’ll get there</em>) </p>
<p id="8KG6vF">“…and my client is 6’11” All-Defensive-Team-Caliber big man Nerlens Noel. We’re looking for a $100 million dollar deal for a 4-year contract with your organization.” Walters said, frequently looking in Noel’s direction to see the big man nodding in agreement. </p>
<p id="acsfpB">Immediately <em>the Sharks</em> look up from their notebooks with mixed reactions. </p>
<p id="ecqN8f">“Going into his 4th season in the NBA,” Walters continued, “My client is still only 23 years old with an entire NBA career ahead of him. Not only is Noel an excellent shot blocker but he can also jump out and guard players on the perimeter. No one else in the NBA can move like he can at his size.”</p>
<p id="rNL6E8">Nelson interjected, “But what about production? Last season we only had him for 22 games. That’s not a big enough sample size for us to give him that much.” </p>
<p id="4GXcYl">“Last year on your team my client averaged over a block and steal per game,” Walters declared. “The only other players to do that last season were <span>Giannis Antetokounmpo</span>…”</p>
<p id="UwrvQU">Donnie Nelson shoot a look down the row to Mark Cuban who fixed his gaze on the back wall trying not to make eye contact.</p>
<p id="1Ovyd3">“<span>Kevin Durant</span>, <span>Anthony Davis</span>, <span>Draymond Green</span>, <span>DeMarcus Cousins</span>…”</p>
<p id="YMhuPv">A tingle goes up Rick Carlisle’s spine as he whispers, “Boogie…” under his breath. </p>
<p id="zkOhdD">“<span>Andre Drummond</span>, <span>Gorgui Dieng</span>, <span>James Johnson</span>, <span>Andre Roberson</span>, and <span>Robert Covington</span>…” Walters finished in a hurry hoping the last few names fell on deaf ears.</p>
<p id="OfH9vw">“Did you just say Gorgui Dieng? He signed for 4 years $64 million last October.” Nelson remarked.</p>
<p id="2DkWK6">Before Walters could respond Cuban made an offer. “Look, with your client’s injury history the best <a href="https://twitter.com/Happywalters/status/901537244116262914">we can offer is $70 million for a 4 year contract to return to the Dallas Mavericks</a>.</p>
<p id="fvAPgS">Noel looked up at the ceiling to do the math in his head, once he realized what the offer was he looked back at Walters the same way he looks at a drive to the rim…</p>
<p id="nKTVeH">‘<em>Not in my house</em>.’</p>
<p id="yvqo4L">Walters countered, “My client has the potential to be Defensive Player of the Year and haven’t we been saying all summer that he is part of the future?” Walters countered. </p>
<p id="ISHm8n">“That’s an expensive future,” Carlisle scoffed holding his <a href="https://twitter.com/EarlKSneed/status/878343142566756352">iPhone in one hand and his Android phone</a> in the other.</p>
<p id="8GZsth">“May I have a moment alone with my client?” Walters requested. Walters then attempts to deliberate with Noel who continued to demand he is worth a max contract.</p>
<p id="tSWlMu">“Well, what’s it going to be guys? Do we have a deal?” Cuban asked. </p>
<p id="cunrnt">“We do not, and frankly my client and I are <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsDayDFW/status/887380781571739648">disappointed and will wait until we get a serious offer</a>. We both believe he is worth… *gulp* …a max contract and will not accept anything less,” Walters insisted reluctantly.</p>
<p id="2GFUwP">“Guys, your evaluation is insane and for that reason we’re out.” Cuban shot back. </p>
<p id="xJY63A">“Wait, what do you mean <em>out</em>?” Walters demanded. </p>
<p id="qu9J1R">Cuban sat up in his chair, somehow looking both Walters and Noel right in the eyes, “It means <a href="https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status/901502840040034305">we’re pulling our offer</a>.”</p>
<p id="nVTZto">After a few moments of stunned silence Nelson said, “Now you may reach out to any of the other representatives in attendance and if they offer you a deal then we will match it.”</p>
<p id="ntcIny">“What if another team offers me a max deal?” Noel inquired. </p>
<p id="8zPQFL">Carlisle looked up from his two devices and said, “What team?”</p>
<p id="EfFSvz">Noel and Walters looked around. The room was dark and it was hard to tell if anyone was waiting in the wings to swoop in and make an offer—but there was no one. </p>
<p id="J9AzQe">Noel and Cuban did not break eye contact as Walters scrambles to find any other teams in the room darting from one side to the other.</p>
<p id="vM10nR">“I see you <a href="http://hoopshype.com/rumor/hawks-interested-in-nerlens-noel/">over there Atlanta!</a> Brooklyn, I know you’re at all of these meetings! WHERE’S BOSTON?!” Walters screamed frantically.</p>
<p id="JhqMSo">Noel maintained eye contact with Cuban and said calmly, “<a href="https://twitter.com/MikeAScotto/status/899781544025436160">Walters, we’re done. Let the next guy in.</a>”</p>
<p id="LZdmDj">“What next guy?” Walters asked exasperated. </p>
<p id="pfLUvZ">As Happy Walters left the room the door flung open to reveal his replacement.</p>
<p id="sPDrLI">“Ok, Bron. Talk to you later.” Rich Paul holstered his phone and started rubbing his hands together. “Who’s ready to make some money?”</p>
<p id="HdBPVo">Noel laughed and embraced Paul while the Mavericks front office exchanged glances. </p>
<p id="jJqoQ0">After explaining the situation Noel stepped back as Paul stepped forward to make one last impassioned plea. </p>
<p id="rR8CE2">“The previous offer is not a fair deal. My client is currently worth much more than that. The future is bright for this young star. Don’t get caught up in the games played. Look at the situations. First year in Philadelphia, where the team was a dumpster fire and then immediately attempts to replace him two times over with <span>Joel Embiid</span> and <span>Jahlil Okafor</span>. Gentlemen, this is an opportunity of a lifetime. Don’t waste the assets you gave up to trade for my client, you will be sorry. Just last year <span>Steven Adams</span> signed a deal for $24 million per year, <span>Hassan Whiteside</span> signed a deal for $24 million per year…”</p>
<p id="2RWS3F">Cuban butted in, “Rich, that’s apples and oranges, the market was totally different last year.” </p>
<p id="igRQ1E"><a href="https://twitter.com/SnottieDrippen/status/900805049906978816">Noel shifted his weight and cocked his head to the side in disagreement</a>. </p>
<p id="6Je8ld">“There isn’t even an offer on the table guys, I keep hearing <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes/status/901492125417709568">$17 million but that doesn’t seem to exist</a>.” Paul griped. </p>
<p id="FR4LKd">Before anyone from the Mavs Front Office could response, from what seemed like 100 yards away, Happy Walters stuck his head back into the room and yelled, <a href="https://twitter.com/Happywalters/status/901537244116262914">“IT DID HAPPEN!”</a> </p>
<p id="7DaX0f">Paul whipped his head around to see Noel half wincing at the mess they were in and half looking to Paul for help. </p>
<p id="VBKuDN">“Look, the Dallas Mavericks will be worse off without Nerlens Noel. He is worth a Max Contract and we’re willing to prove it.” Paul concluded. </p>
<p id="gxdQUA">“You are?” Nelson raised his eyebrows and sat back in his chair. </p>
<p id="6ubta8">“Then I guess we only have one choice,” Cuban said. “If you really think you’re worth a Max then I think the only way to do it is to prove it.”</p>
<p id="AX0bS3">“Then we’re all in agreement?” Nelson polled the whole room; Carlisle and Cuban nodded while Rich Paul looked at Noel. Then the whole room was looking at Noel, it was like the whole world was looking at Noel.</p>
<p id="hpyHHR"><a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/901497409070608384">“Ok.”</a> </p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2017/9/1/16218852/what-if-the-nerlens-noel-negotiations-were-on-shark-tank-dallas-mavericks-mark-cubanNick Angstadt2017-08-27T17:41:42-05:002017-08-27T17:41:42-05:00Noel would have accepted $20 million per season, per report
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<p>If Nerlens wanted the max, and the Mavs offered $17 million per season, $20 million could have been a reasonable compromise.</p> <p id="t2gixX">According to a <a href="https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2017/08/26/summer-business-mavericks-nerlens-noel-create-season-long-distraction">report</a> by Dallas Morning News’ Brad Townsend, <span>Nerlens Noel</span> supposedly would’ve been open to taking less than the max, had the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> offered the right amount. </p>
<p id="sUQECD">Townsend talked to Noel’s mother, Dorcina, who says her son wasn’t even asking for a max contract. In the conversation with Townsend, Dorcina says, “He told me he was asking for about $22 million a year, but Dallas refused to give it to him. He told me, ‘If Dallas gives me $20 million, I'm going to be there because they love me there. I said, 'Yeah, I love it there, too.’” <a href="https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2017/08/26/summer-business-mavericks-nerlens-noel-create-season-long-distraction">You can read more in Townsend’s full story.</a> </p>
<p id="Vv8tCn">Apparently Noel’s mom was planning on moving to Dallas after her son signed his new deal, but being that he ended up signing the 1-year Qualifying Offer worth $4.1 million, <a href="https://twitter.com/townbrad/status/901639270670241793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=about%3Asrcdoc">those plans seem to have been put on hold</a>.</p>
<p id="DjAcWc">Regardless of which side you're on in this case of Noel vs. the Mavs, the fact is, there was poor communication all around here. There was talk that Noel wanted nothing less than the max. There was talk that the Mavs didn't want to pay more than $17 million per year (a very generous, fair offer, given the circumstances, in my opinion). But the whole point of contract negotiations is, you know, <em>to negotiate</em>! </p>
<p id="eU2sRS">If Noel was truly willing to accept a contract that paid him an average of $20 million per year, you’ve got to think that both sides really dropped the ball here. Since Noel’s new agent, Rich Paul, wasn’t part of the original “negotiations,” maybe the two sides can start off on a new foot this season and try to fix what has turned into a really awkward situation. </p>
<p id="zNXNvA">You never truly know what a player is thinking, but <a href="http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20465872/nerlens-noel-signs-1-year-offer-sheet-remain-dallas-mavericks">according to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, there are supposedly no hard feelings by Noel</a>, and that by making this decision, it gives both sides a chance to “evaluate a larger body of work” and “assign a proper valuation” for Noel next summer. </p>
<p id="EePalr">For the Mavs sake, let’s all hope this information is correct.</p>
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https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2017/8/27/16211210/2017-free-agency-nerlens-noel-would-have-accepted-deal-worth-20-million-per-from-dallas-mavericksDalton Trigg2017-08-27T08:15:02-05:002017-08-27T08:15:02-05:00Nerlens Noel signing the qualifying offer is bad in every way
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<figcaption>Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Noel is betting on himself and taking a 1-year deal to get a max next season, and everything about it is bad.</p> <p id="UuUqph">News of <span>Nerlens Noel</span> signing a one-year qualifying offer officially broke on Saturday. The <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a>, who entered the off-season sweating a possible max offer sheet from a rival team, will instead watch as Noel tries to get a max offer next summer after a successful season.</p>
<p id="hV0X3n">In a vacuum, in a NBA universe where all things are equal and the past and the future do not exist, there isn’t anything egregious about this. Nerlens Noel, objectively, is not worth a max contract. He has a troubled injury history, has only reached the 30 minutes per game plateau once in three seasons and plays a position that is becoming exceedingly less valuable across the league. So him taking the qualifying offer and proving his value isn’t, in theory, a bad thing.</p>
<p id="1DqyN0">Guess what? That’s not how the NBA works! Things are so much more fluid. So, with the news on Saturday tossing around all sorts of hot takes about Noel’s value and what the Mavs should or shouldn’t have done, here’s mine — this is a colossal failure from all parts of this process. </p>
<p id="a3Pm4f"><a href="https://twitter.com/Boweman55/status/901504044635758594">I went on a Twitter rant Saturday afternoon</a> about it, and I’m here to expand on those points below. Consider it personal therapy. Also all you people that think Noel isn’t that good because his per game points and rebounds totals aren’t that high can go drink paint.</p>
<h4 id="EcTLUr">1. The Mavericks traded for Noel, which means they understood his injury concern and wanted him anyway</h4>
<h4 id="Sg7SFh">2. Noel had one issue in Dallas (a sore left knee kept him out of three games) but was otherwise healthy to play. He should be fine. If the Mavericks didn’t think he would be, don’t even trade for him.</h4>
<p id="YSN66a">These points seem fairly obvious. If the Mavericks are playing the injury card with Noel, why did they trade for him in the first place? The assumption when the trade was made was that Noel was a part of the core for the long run — not a rental. The logic breaks down here because you assume the Mavericks did their due diligence before the trade, and Noel checked out medically.</p>
<h4 id="l8GuXr">3. By almost every metric, Noel projects as an All-Star or at the very least, a very, very good player. The only thing holding him back so far has been his minutes/role. He posted a positive net rating in Dallas despite the circumstances of a mid-season trade and being on a lottery-bound team.</h4>
<p id="7XAHls">Another part where the Noel logic breaks down — he was good! He was really good! Noel posted a 1.3 net rating while learning the ropes of Rick Carlisle’s offensive and defensive schemes and playing on a team that wound up earning a top-10 pick. Noel didn’t average a ton of minutes in Dallas because A) the Dirk at center lineup was still grooving when he arrived and B) there wasn’t much time left before the Mavericks officially packed it in and stopped trying. Noel is a defensive terror and a pick-and-roll difference maker on both ends of the floor. When Noel went off the floor after he came to Dallas, the Mavs net rating tumbled to minus 7.8.</p>
<p id="mw1JWS">This is a small sample of some of things Noel can do at 23 years old.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nerlens Noel covered a ton of ground to make this block. <a href="https://t.co/jEnK6SN8oX">pic.twitter.com/jEnK6SN8oX</a></p>— Bobby Karalla (@bobbykaralla) <a href="https://twitter.com/bobbykaralla/status/845820618310369284">March 26, 2017</a>
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<p id="6Bkpc0">Noel is really, really good.</p>
<h4 id="kQOX5i">4. Noel will get those opportunities he’s lacked this upcoming season, with a clean bill of health and a full training camp. Unless he gets hurt, which again, don’t trade for the injury prone dude if you know he can’t make it a full season.</h4>
<p id="zT8hpl">Duh. Noel is going to blow it up this year.</p>
<h4 id="tJnxCB">5. Regardless of how right the Mavericks think they are, a wedge has been driven between them and Noel. This is a thing now and it doesn’t help.</h4>
<p id="56f83Z">This is a big one. It doesn’t matter <a href="https://twitter.com/MFollowill/status/901509921342140417">what PR-friendly answers he puts out through the media</a>, Noel didn’t take the qualifying offer to do the Mavericks any favors to make sure they properly know he’s a $17 million a year player. He did it to get the max, because he feels he’s a max-level player. This is where the Mavericks drive me insane. They always feel they’re the smartest in the room, even when the ship is sinking and the water is rising above their heads. Remember when <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/mark-cuban-says-mavericks-better-without-dwight-howard/">they were better off without Deron Williams, Dwight Howard</a> and every other star free agent they failed to bring in? Remember when the Mavericks thought they were better off without <span>Tyson Chandler</span>? (<a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2015/6/18/8802923/tyson-chandler-mavericks-nba-free-agency-2015-best-center">twice</a>). Gee, these Mavericks are so smart, no wonder they’ve enjoyed so much success like one 50-win season and zero playoff series wins since 2011. THEY’RE PRACTICALLY GENIUSES.</p>
<p id="QVjyvD">If the choices ultimately are sign Noel to a max or sign him to a qualifying offer and <a href="https://twitter.com/mdug/status/901578813125128192">increase the risk of losing him</a>, sign him to the max. He’s good and that’s the price you have to pay to keep young talent in the NBA. <span>Otto Porter</span> isn’t worth the max. <span>Gordon Hayward</span> wasn’t worth the deal the <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Jazz</a> had to match a few years ago. Just suck it up and appease a core building block that not only fits in perfectly with your other building blocks (<span>Harrison Barnes</span>, Dennis Smith Jr) but will also greatly improve the development of those building blocks. Smith is going to have a much easier time learning the intricacies of the NBA pick and roll game if he has a lob partner like Noel for the next four years.</p>
<p id="pGYLRk">I don’t care if the Mavericks are being “smart.” I want good players. Sign and keep the good players. It’s not my money.</p>
<h4 id="3woaEQ">6. Noel can now “earn” his max deal and go to a team that won’t jack around with him, in his mind. In the NBA, the player is always right.</h4>
<p id="wpcgW9">If a player is really good, they get paid. That’s how it works. If you don’t think Noel is good because he didn’t average 10 points per game or didn’t cross the threshold of whatever other arbitrary and archaic stat you wanted, go sniff farts somewhere else.</p>
<p id="t0p3qv">Now Noel will be unrestricted and free to sign with whatever team he wants to. A ton of leverage from the Mavs side is lost. While the market isn’t getting any better next summer as teams twiddle their thumbs in the timeout corner after handing out some albatross contracts in the spending bonanza of 2016, Noel should be a lot more desirable once he (likely) tears it up this season. Or how about this juicy theory since Noel now shares agents with <span>LeBron James</span>:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I know you're thinking about Cowboys or the fight right now, but my Noel fear is the package deal with LBJ next summer. Big promises made.</p>— Jeff Skin Wade (@SkinWade) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkinWade/status/901611385242742784">August 27, 2017</a>
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<p id="BTWWad">While there’s always a chance Noel returns since the Mavericks can offer him the most money, we’ve already seen the Mavericks shun free agents due to not properly valuing them in the first place. If Noel’s pride is hurt that the Mavericks wouldn’t pay up, that’s obviously a petty thing to do but that doesn’t make the Mavericks any better. It’s not your money anyway. I’d rather be dumb and have more good players than be the Mavericks’ version of smart and have fewer good players.</p>
<h4 id="Xv7PDy">7. This is completely different from the <span>Chandler Parsons</span> situation because Noel hasn’t undergone two major knee surgeries in the last two years.</h4>
<p id="Th6tyW">A lot of people jumped into my mentions saying the Mavericks know what they’re doing since they let Parsons walk and he couldn’t stay on the court in Memphis this past season. There’s a big difference though, because Parsons entered the 2016 offseason with two major surgeries in two years, and Noel enters this offseason with a relatively clean bill of health (well, as clean as it can be for a player like him).</p>
<p id="vntJfH">There’s always the chance that the Mavericks find something in Noel’s medicals that makes them not want to pursue a long-term deal, but the Mavericks were willing to give him $17.5 per year for four years so what’s another six per going to do if Noel can’t play because he gets hurt. It’s sunk money no matter what. If you’re willing to pay that much for that long, you can’t be THAT concerned with his knees.</p>
<h4 id="1tL3uz">8. What does this look like to other free agents that the Mavericks were willing to overpay for <span>Dwight Powell</span> and not for Noel? Optics aren’t good.</h4>
<p id="5i0AAj">Dwight Powell got almost $38 million, and he’s not even that great. Players notice things and for as much as the Mavericks pride themselves on being a great organization with great culture, they’ve taken way too many off-season Ls.</p>
<h4 id="Xqq65n">9. Even worse, Noel is a perfect fit for Barnes and Smith. The Mavericks will likely never draft someone as good as Noel in the next two to three years.</h4>
<p id="W75kfq">Noel is good and a good fit now. If he leaves after next season, the Mavericks will take another step back and hope to ... tank so they can draft someone like Noel and hope he’s just as good. What else are the Mavericks going to be using money for in the next four years anyway? Dirk will be retired, <span>J.J. Barea</span>, and <span>Devin Harris</span> will be gone soon. Come on now. A bird in the hand, etc., etc.</p>
<h4 id="P9M2ct">10. The only way this qualifying offer news is “good” is if Noel under performs or gets hurt. Which if anyone is rooting for that, pound dirt.</h4>
<p id="qNpHrp">The absolute worst part of this for people who think Noel is good (AKA not crazy people) is that the “best” case scenario for the Mavericks to come out on top is if Noel either gets hurt or seriously under performs, therefore saving the Mavericks from a potential boondoggle. </p>
<p id="EmwaM1">That’s just a shitty way to look at things. Why can’t the best thing for the Mavericks be watching the continued growth of their exciting and talented core trio for the next four years? Is that so hard to ask?</p>
<h4 id="UVAWXV">11. If the Mavericks are using Noel’s injury/lack of production to cover up the fact they’re really wanting to not pay Noel so they can save money for <span>DeMarcus Cousins</span> next summer then just burn the planet to the ground.</h4>
<p id="rHCtJg">I swear to god if this happens I am running off into the wood to become a feral man. We’ve seen the Mavs run off a quality starting big man twice in failed pursuits after superstar replacements, so this is a terrifying prospect.</p>
<p id="hb9M7x">OK, phew, I feel a tiny bit better now. Before we wrap this up, there is an obvious point I have to make — it appears Noel is no angel in this situation and he has been stubborn as hell with his max or nothing offer. That puts the Mavericks in a devil of a situation, and Noel is out of his mind to think that max or nothing is the right move for his career right now. He should have taken the 4-year, $70 million deal.</p>
<p id="8t2kAJ">That’s where this all ends, in bitter frustration. Frustration that Noel is so thick-headed that he can’t recognize a good offer and just get it done. Frustration that the Mavericks are on the verge of blowing <em>another </em>key free agency. Frustration that Noel may go be an All-Star in another team’s uniform. Frustration that the Mavericks miraculously quick rebuild could take a turn for the worse and turn into a more slogging affair. Frustration that the Mavericks, faced with the choice of having a good player and less money or appearing smart, having more money and not having the good player, chose the same path they have since 2011 — a path we’re all still waiting for them to pay off.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2017/8/27/16210124/2017-nba-free-agency-nerlens-noel-qualifying-offer-bad-disaster-frustrating-arghJosh Bowe2017-08-27T06:53:23-05:002017-08-27T06:53:23-05:00Why did Nerlens take the qualifying offer? (Locked On Mavericks)
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<img alt="NBA: San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kmEinsUk0B2KuDLzDS3VRz4vDxs=/48x0:3345x2198/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56383459/usa_today_9998660.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Nick and Isaac discuss the Nerlens Noel signing and why it happened this way </p> <div id="JSs6gl"><iframe src="https://audioboom.com/posts/6243739-locked-on-mavericks-8-27-17-nerlens-noel-finally-signed-but-why/embed/v4?image_option=full&link_color=%2355ACEE&source=twitter_card&utm_campaign=detailpage&utm_content=card&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter" style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 300px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
<p id="t0ijxd"><a href="https://audioboom.com/posts/6243739-locked-on-mavericks-8-27-17-nerlens-noel-finally-signed-but-why"><strong>*Click here to listen to today’s episode</strong></a></p>
<p id="DhZkdd"><a href="http://twitter.com/NickVanExit"><strong>Nick Angstadt</strong></a> (Mavs Moneyball) and <a href="http://twitter.com/IsaacHarrisNBA"><strong>Isaac Harris</strong></a> (Smoking Cuban) bring you the <a href="https://audioboom.com/channel/locked-on-mavericks"><strong>Locked On Mavericks Podcast</strong></a>, part of the Locked On Podcast Network.</p>
<p id="qdIZ00">On today’s episode the guys discuss <span>Nerlens Noel</span> signing the Qualifying Offer and either betting on himself or accepting the only offer left. </p>
<p id="AdyIXb">Five shows a week Nick and Isaac will be discussing the latest Mavericks news and rumors. From inside the locker room, the Locked On Mavs Podcast is an all-access pass to what goes on with your Mavs and the rest of the NBA.</p>
<p id="mzPf4j">Keep up to date with <span><strong>Dirk Nowitzki</strong></span>, Dennis Smith Jr., <span><strong>Harrison Barnes</strong></span><strong> </strong>and the rest of the Mavericks throughout the entire season. Also, tune in to hear interviews from players, coaches and people around the Mavs organization. The <a href="https://audioboom.com/channel/locked-on-mavericks"><strong>Locked On Mavericks Podcast</strong></a> is the best Mavericks-only podcast available.</p>
<p id="00wPOz">Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes by clicking the link above or clicking <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=66960X1564651&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast%2Flocked-on-mavericks%2Fid1153678569%3Fmt%3D2" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a>. Then rate and review the podcast on iTunes until Locked On Mavericks becomes the highest rated Locked On Podcast in the network.</p>
<p id="mNBhaE">(We just can’t let the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/"><strong>Warriors</strong></a> win more things…)</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2017/8/27/16210634/why-did-nerlens-take-the-qualifying-offer-locked-on-mavericks-podcastNick Angstadt2017-08-26T16:00:35-05:002017-08-26T16:00:35-05:00Nerlens Noel chose to bet on himself. What happened in contract negotiations?
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<img alt="NBA: Golden State Warriors at Dallas Mavericks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MzQ18QB8I7gqYX-7s1MBi4v4wec=/0x62:2187x1520/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56379117/usa_today_9976642.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Nerlens Noel thinks he can wait out this season for the max deal he deserves. How did we get here? </p> <p id="cmu9iJ">It’s over. </p>
<p id="TXl5gd"><span>Nerlens Noel</span> has signed a one-year qualifying offer to return to the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> via ESPN’s Chris Haynes. The deal is for 1 year $4.1 million and means Noel will be an unrestricted Free Agent next summer. Haynes also reported that the “reported $17M “offer” was non-existent in any form.” This is in reference to a <a href="https://twitter.com/stevekylerNBA/status/900369944914702336">Basketball Insiders report</a> that Nerlens “turned down a deal in the $17.5m per year range.” </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nerlens Noel signs 1-year, $4.1 million QO to return to Mavs, league sources tell ESPN. Reported $17M "offer " was non-existent in any form.</p>— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes/status/901492125417709568">August 26, 2017</a>
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<p id="GSR9LI">However, mere minutes after Haynes debunked that offer, Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Noel “turned down 4-year, $70M Mavs offer made on July 1.” </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">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.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/901497409070608384">August 26, 2017</a>
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<p id="FrCl4P">These are not necessarily contradictory reports because $70 million over 4 years averages out to $17.5 million. </p>
<p id="yszqNm"><em>(laugh track)</em></p>
<p id="qj6NZq">All of these deals are still just reports, all summer there have been <em>reports </em>of all kinds that have proved to grow the noses of reporters,<em> </em>but when Woj gets involves a report becomes a real boy.</p>
<p id="Gq6srm">Either way, there’s a lot to unpack from a few sets of 140 characters. </p>
<h4 id="r1Ofrx">
<strong>What </strong><strong>h</strong><strong>appened?</strong>
</h4>
<p id="stpyWN">According to Woj, the Mavericks offered Noel a 4-year $70 million deal on July 1st. An offer that even Noel’s peers said he should accept or <a href="https://twitter.com/CJMcCollum/status/900850300340260864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fclutchpoints.com%2Fblazers-news-c-j-mccollum-questions-nerlens-noels-decision-to-turn-down-contract-offer%2F">get better friends and advisors in his circle.</a> </p>
<p id="OjMw73">Now we know that this deal was initially turned down. At the time of this offer, teams still had money to spend on free agents and this didn’t seem like such a bad move on Noel’s part. But after each passing free agency deal, the money was drying up and the number of teams that could even offer Noel a deal of that size dwindled. </p>
<p id="ho8pKQ">The only reason for the waiting game was to see if Noel was offered a max deal by another team which, for a player of his experience, would have been around $25 million per year. The Mavericks had the ability to match any deal Nerlens was offered by another team because Noel was a restricted free agent. Once the threat of a max offer was eliminated and no team could offer Noel anything close to $17 million per year next season there seemed to be no doubt Noel would have to accept the original offer.</p>
<p id="0aSLnh">But apparently once Noel asked for a max contract the Mavericks shot back with a melodic “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K0RzZGpyds"><em>look what you made me do”</em></a> and the original 4 year $70 million <a href="https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status/901502840040034305">offer was pulled soon thereafter</a>.</p>
<p id="rvMSXT">The only report at that time was from Nerlens’ agent (<em>at the time</em>), Happy Walters.</p>
<blockquote><p id="K0axtt">“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."</p></blockquote>
<p id="xAVgXG">Making Noel just the second person this week to be <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K0RzZGpyds">disappointed with something that he made someone else do.</a></p>
<p id="wyIJF2">As the weeks went by, nothing materialized and Noel decided to take action.</p>
<p id="xp11dc">Not even a week ago, Noel decided that he would <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2017/8/21/16181868/mavericks-nerlens-noel-signs-with-lebron-james-agent-rich-paul-per-report">leave Walters and be represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports.</a> Paul had represented Tristian Thompson, <span>Eric Bledsoe</span>, and <span>Kentavious Caldwell-Pope</span> who were all in <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2017/8/22/16183498/nerlens-noel-hires-rich-paul-agent-holdout-mavs-contract">similar negotiations situations with their current teams and ended up receiving more money</a>. The thought was that now Noel would wait until the very last possible day—October 1st—for the Mavericks to cave and give him the offer he wanted. </p>
<p id="eH7Mt9">But the NBA offseason remains undefeated. </p>
<p id="2mvjqO">As a restricted free agent there are a few options for a player. They can accept an offer given by their original team, accept an offer from another team which could be matched, or do something completely different. Which is where Noel, Rich Paul, the Mavericks, and all Mavs fans find themselves today when Noel accepted the qualifying offer.</p>
<p id="eBHvG7">This is how NBA Cap Master Larry Coon explains the QO in his incredibly detailed and essential <a href="http://faq.com/salarycap.htm#Q1">CBA FAQ</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="tyfXX4">“In order to make their free agent a restricted free agent, a team must submit a <strong>qualifying offer</strong> to the player between the day following the last game of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-finals">NBA Finals</a> and June 29. The qualifying offer is a standing offer for a one-year guaranteed contract, which becomes a regular contact if the player decides to sign it. This ensures that the team does not gain the right of first refusal without offering a contract themselves. The amount of the qualifying offer depends on the situation…”</p></blockquote>
<p id="muj0ef">The situation Noel found himself in was a qualifying offer of $4.1 million. Draft status, “Starter Criteria,” and years in the league all affect the QO a team can make. Noel’s $4.1 million QO was lower than Caldwell-Pope’s QO of $5.5 million because Noel <a href="https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/901500120981786624">did not meet the Starter Criteria</a>.</p>
<p id="9Q582d">Now Noel has accepted the Mavericks’ QO and will be an unrestricted free agent in Summer 2018. </p>
<h4 id="GW559x"><strong>How did it come to this?</strong></h4>
<p id="xGKqPA">Noel turned down the Mavericks original offer of 4 years $70 million because he assumed there would be a better offer out there. It made sense at the time, but then the money dried up.</p>
<p id="GZ29OB">Last season the NBA Salary Cap jumped up $19 million from the 2015-16 season. Every team—basically—had an extra $19 million to spend in Free Agency which is why some ridiculous contracts were handed out. For example: Ian Mahimni played his part in the Mavericks 2011 title run but in what world is he worth $16 million per year for the next 3 years? The Free Agent class of 2017 looked at the amount of money that was being thrown around last summer and assumed that it would also be hurled toward them as well.</p>
<p id="4bc9PA"><strong>Narrator</strong>: “It wasn’t.”</p>
<p id="k0TcTO">While a few players received exorbitant deals, most of them were one year deals like the 1 year $20 million contract Caldwell-Pope eventually signed with the <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a> or the 1 year $23 million deal <span>J.J. Redick</span> signed with the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">76ers</a>. </p>
<p id="2diIMb">This issue never would have occurred if the Players Association had accepted the League’s proposal of <a href="http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/12461874/players-union-rejects-salary-cap-smoothing-historic-cap-increase-nba-set">Salary Cap Smoothing</a> that would gradually introduce more money into the league’s salary cap instead of the $19 million surge it experienced. That surge created unrealistic expectations on behalf of the players and Noel seemed to fall for it hook, line, and sinker. </p>
<p id="6K4Lts">Now having accepted the QO, Noel is betting on himself to prove to the league that he is worth the max contract he seeks. </p>
<h4 id="TOdUXf">What Happens Now?</h4>
<p id="uzSwpd">Now the Mavericks have a motivated Nerlens Noel in another contract year—maybe the most important of his life. If he can prove he’s worth a max contract on the open market then the Mavericks are in prime position to bring him back for the 2018-19 season. The Mavericks would still hold his <a href="http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q25">Bird Rights</a> and be able to offer Noel more money than any other team. They could offer him a 5 year max contract worth 25 percent of the salary cap next season whereas any other team could only offer him a 4 year deal. To a player like Noel with significant injury history, that extra year could be incredibly valuable, but Noel did turn down a 4 year deal in favor of 1 year so… </p>
<p id="1RieFn">The problem with Noel betting on himself is not that he couldn’t become a max contract-caliber player, the issue is the market for next season. </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">My concern for a player signing a QO is the lack of money next summer. Don't think what you turned down now will be greater next July.</p>— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) <a href="https://twitter.com/BobbyMarks42/status/901502246499876864">August 26, 2017</a>
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<p id="sdi4ne">This is the list of big men that could* be free agents next summer: </p>
<p id="Kft3M4"><span>DeAndre Jordan</span> (PO), <span>DeMarcus Cousins</span>, <span>Joel Embiid</span> (RFA), <span>Brook Lopez</span>, <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> (PO), <span>Jusuf Nurkic</span> (RFA), <span>Jabari Parker</span> (RFA), <span>Julius Randle</span> (RFA), <span>Clint Capela</span> (RFA), <span>Derrick Favors</span>, <span>Greg Monroe</span>, <span>Enes Kanter</span> (PO)</p>
<h5 id="wmF9il">
<strong>RFA: Restricted Free Agent</strong><br><strong>TO: Team Option</strong><br><strong>PO: Player Option </strong>
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<h5 id="YLv8Bu">
<em>*There are several prominent big men that have Team Options next summer (</em><span><em>Nikola Jokic</em></span><em>, </em><span><em>Myles Turner</em></span><em>, </em><span><em>Kristaps Porzingis</em></span><em>, Karl Anthony-Towns, etc.) but they are still their Rookie Deals and will almost certainly return to their original teams.</em>
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<p id="ducWm7">The climate of the 2018 offseason may look similar to this past offseason and Noel may again find himself without a cart or a horse. That’s a lot of talent that will demand big money and it’s hard to envision Noel getting the big piece of chicken when Cousins, Jordan, and Embiid are sitting at the same table. Noel can try to prove himself, but he’s not just betting on himself—he’s betting on the market to be favorable too.</p>
<p id="a2wCTI">Now that Noel is reportedly signed, the Mavericks find themselves in an odd place. One roster spot remaining (assuming one of the current players fills the second Two-Way spot) and <a href="https://twitter.com/SkinWade/status/901505979736616960">$10 million in cap space</a>. </p>
<p id="xUEDZF">What the Mavs can do with that space is another story, but today the Mavericks retained Nerlens Noel. He might not be in the <a href="https://twitter.com/dallasmavs/status/901459241105375236">season promotional material</a> but he will be a Maverick for the 2017-18 season. </p>
<p id="Ai447d">Noel made a decision, not the decision everyone expected but a choice to believe in himself. All summer it seemed everyone was talking at him, trying to get in his head, he needed to listen to his own heart talking, needed to count on himself instead. He’s not going to stop, that’s just who he is, he gives all he’s got, that’s his plan. Will he find what he lost? He thinks he can…</p>
<h3 id="0hZH7E"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk9yEyO9djg">BET ON IT</a></h3>
<h3 id="vZmOAU"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk9yEyO9djg">BET ON IT </a></h3>
<h3 id="o8OmFt"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk9yEyO9djg">BET ON IT </a></h3>
<h3 id="8M3EiE"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk9yEyO9djg">BET ON IT</a></h3>
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https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2017/8/26/16209032/nba-free-agency-2017-nerlens-noel-what-happened-contract-negotiations-qualifying-offerNick Angstadt2017-08-26T13:28:10-05:002017-08-26T13:28:10-05:00Twitter reacts to Nerlens Noel returning to the Mavericks on the qualifying offer
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<img alt="NBA: San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/N-xFSH0MwffE-MmOa5DtxUJp_YQ=/136x0:3628x2328/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56378219/usa_today_9999039.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>There’s a mix of relief, anger and head scratching.</p> <p id="1tjVB1">Good news: <span>Nerlens Noel</span> is officially coming back to the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a>.</p>
<p id="t8pBlu">Bad news: It might not be for beyond 2018.</p>
<p id="2lu5cb">The restricted free agent big man signed a one-year, $4.1 million qualifying offer to return to Dallas, as reported by ESPN on Saturday. Noel, who turned down a four-year deal worth $70 million from the Mavericks on July 1, is banking on himself for a big payday next summer. </p>
<p id="hXTkK6">It had been 56 days since the start of free agency, and the Twitterverse was quick to react to the end of this saga, for now.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Haven't seen anyone misjudge their worth/misplay their hand quite like Nerlens Noel did this past year. <a href="https://t.co/qK2f1Rn21g">https://t.co/qK2f1Rn21g</a></p>— Jake Pavorsky (@JakePavorsky) <a href="https://twitter.com/JakePavorsky/status/901493795140882432">August 26, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nerlens Noel will become an unrestricted free agent in 2018. Noel must consent to any trade this season or will lose bird rights.</p>— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) <a href="https://twitter.com/BobbyMarks42/status/901493039750828032">August 26, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">AND THERE IT IS. you god damn morons. <a href="https://t.co/xziyxaR918">https://t.co/xziyxaR918</a></p>— Josh Bowe (@Boweman55) <a href="https://twitter.com/Boweman55/status/901503197705121792">August 26, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"I am here for contract-year Nerlens Noel" are not words I wanted to tweet this summer, but alas, I am here for contract-year Nerlens Noel.</p>— Danny Webster (@DannyWebster21) <a href="https://twitter.com/DannyWebster21/status/901507342398652416">August 26, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Interesting wrinkle for cap heads like me: Noel makes less this year than last year because he did not meet Starter Criteria, so lower QO.</p>— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/901500120981786624">August 26, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Nerlens Noel situation is truly bizarre. No one wanted him for more than the Mavs' qualifying offer? Like, nobody??</p>— Andy Glockner (@AndyGlockner) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndyGlockner/status/901496101731094528">August 26, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We've come full circle back to the Sixers media rhetoric that Nerlens doesn't seem to have a good grasp on market reality</p>— Falcor the Dread (@KirkSeriousFace) <a href="https://twitter.com/KirkSeriousFace/status/901506591505231876">August 26, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">sometimes people ask me why I'm always crying <a href="https://t.co/GqMrCFwBsy">https://t.co/GqMrCFwBsy</a></p>— Jake Kemp (@NotJackKemp) <a href="https://twitter.com/NotJackKemp/status/901501299832872961">August 26, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">i think it'll be pretty obvious come january that nerlens is a $20+ mil player.</p>— Austin (@garooya) <a href="https://twitter.com/garooya/status/901499636556451841">August 26, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nvm I'm back on team Nerlens. 4 & 70 was reasonable, but I get why he wouldn't take it on July 1. If offer was pulled, this is on the Mavs</p>— Bailey (@BaileyGrey789) <a href="https://twitter.com/BaileyGrey789/status/901503670784806913">August 26, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I'm shocked. Good luck young man. May the Force be with you.</p>— Jeff Skin Wade (@SkinWade) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkinWade/status/901499279906414593">August 26, 2017</a>
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<p id="F1DmCW">This is a power play move by Noel, and we have to use all of this season hearing about it. This will not be fun. It will be agonizing. </p>
<p id="frOBBN">I am here for contract-year Nerlens Noel, and the world may burn in the process. God help us all, and may the Force be with us.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2017/8/26/16208886/nba-free-agency-2017-twitter-social-media-reaction-nerlens-noel-qualifying-offerDanny Webster2017-08-26T12:41:45-05:002017-08-26T12:41:45-05:00Nerlens Noel signs $4.1 million, 1 year qualifying offer to return to Mavericks
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<img alt="NBA: Dallas Mavericks at Memphis Grizzlies" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DAbEa-GDWjZx0ZJM9XUiZCZmmnw=/0x49:1709x1188/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56377899/usa_today_10008828.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>This is officially the Mavericks’ worst free agency nightmare. </p> <p id="wHGjGL">The <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> had one job this summer. And they appear to have blown it? </p>
<p id="L4oEUL">According to reports, after changing agents to Rich Paul just days ago, <span>Nerlens Noel</span> is indeed betting on himself: he has signed a $4.1 million qualifying offer to return to the Mavericks on a one-year deal, <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes/status/901492125417709568">per Chris Haynes of ESPN</a>. </p>
<p id="BUJtQo">Noel has reportedly been unhappy with contract negotiations at least since Summer League. Despite the fact that he was seen in Vegas chumming it up with Mavs players and brass, his then-agent put out a statement shortly thereafter that he was unhappy with Dallas’ offer. Rumors have had that offer anywhere between $12 million to $15 million to, most recently, $17.5 million. <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes/status/901492125417709568">According to Haynes</a>, however, that $17 million offer was never a real thing. But, <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/901497409070608384">according to Adrian Wojinarowski of ESPN</a>, the actual offer on the table was 4 years, $70 million — indeed $17.5 million per year. </p>
<p id="YV6nsV">(UPDATE: <a href="https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status/901502840040034305">per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon</a>, that 4 year, $70 million offer from July 1 was pulled after Noel asked for the max. Exact timeline of that remains unclear, however.)</p>
<p id="vDjHWC">The Mavericks’ only free agency priority this summer was signing Noel to a long term deal. They traded for him this past season with the idea that he would be a centerpiece in a young core for years to come. Though Noel is oft-injured, most agreed a reasonable long-term deal was a good fit for both team and player. And now, both sides will have a year to decide if they want to continue the relationship.</p>
<p id="nytsH4">Our long game of chicken will apparently now continue for the entire 2017-18 season. </p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2017/8/26/16208824/nba-free-agency-2017-nerlens-noel-signs-1-year-qualifying-offer-to-return-to-mavericksRebecca Lawson2017-08-26T10:00:05-05:002017-08-26T10:00:05-05:00The Nerlens Noel situation has officially become a thing
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<figcaption>Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After the latest rumor dropped, it’s impossible to ignore the silence in the Noel negotiations.</p> <p id="A10Jkf">The Nerlens Noel situation isn’t especially weird — it’s just annoying. Restricted free agency can be a mess and it’s not unheard of for role players who want to be paid like stars <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2017/8/22/16183498/nerlens-noel-hires-rich-paul-agent-holdout-mavs-contract">to sit out and put pressure on their owners to pay up</a>.</p>
<p id="cNM17y"><span>Tristan Thompson</span> and <span>J.R. Smith</span> have done it recently, and unfortunately they’re both represented by Noel’s newest agent, Rich Paul. Luckily for the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a>, Noel is not <span>LeBron James</span>’ teammate (Paul famously represents LeBron) so there won’t be as much pressure to get an extravagant deal done.</p>
<p id="BCymn6">Unfortunately, trying as hard as you can to ignore the Noel situation and what type of doom and gloom it could bring the Mavericks franchise has become impossible. </p>
<p id="OLu97J">Noel’s been on the spot since free agency started, since the Mavs <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2017/6/30/15906778/2017-nba-free-agency-mavericks-free-agency-primer">clearly laid out their intent to sign him</a>. Now we get this: Noel is allegedly turning down some hefty change.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Noel turned down a deal in the $17.5m per year range. Not sure changing agents changes the math on him. 10pts 7.5rebs as a career <a href="https://t.co/Q6gOCRJYwz">https://t.co/Q6gOCRJYwz</a></p>— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/stevekylerNBA/status/900369944914702336">August 23, 2017</a>
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<p id="UnxN5P">Who knows how reliable the information is — while <em>Basketball Insiders </em>is a reputable site, we don’t know the intentions were of whoever leaked this bit of info out there. Maybe it’s the Mavericks trying to make Noel look bad and guilt him into agreeing to a deal. Maybe it’s an agent for a rival player trying to make Noel look toxic to help his own client look better to general managers. And hell, maybe it’s the truth. We don’t know.</p>
<p id="opZtKK">The bad part regardless is now the Noel situation is officially a Thing™. This tweet has picked up storm around the NBA web and even players are shockingly offering their unfiltered opinion.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> My guy needs better friends and advisors in his circle <a href="https://t.co/YI6Zwko6Dd">https://t.co/YI6Zwko6Dd</a></p>— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) <a href="https://twitter.com/CJMcCollum/status/900850300340260864">August 24, 2017</a>
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<p id="4iQbHf">Here’s a followup response from the <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets</a>’ <span>Wilson Chandler</span> (apologies for the NSFW language):</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fuck that. Common sense. Smh</p>— Wilson Chandler (@wilsonchandler) <a href="https://twitter.com/wilsonchandler/status/900864569672912896">August 24, 2017</a>
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<p id="CPcRmg">This is sort of unprecedented — it’s extremely rare for NBA players to call out contract negotiations like this. Players have a bond and it’s usually “hey let’s all get paid as much as we can.” That’s pretty much the tagline of the players association. For Noel’s peers to be publicly calling him out like this sure is, well, it’s something.</p>
<p id="XPVMxy">It can just never be easy for the Mavericks. While all signs are pointing to Noel being at fault for not recognizing his market value after no team gave him an offer sheet this summer, we don’t know when this supposed $17.5 million per year deal was offered and if it’s still on the table. Maybe the Mavericks gave Noel that number on July 1, when Noel still had dreams of max dollars dancing through his head.</p>
<p id="mWc3gE">Or maybe Noel is a 23-year-old athlete who doesn’t understand economics. It’s anyone’s guess, but the only thing that’s clear at this point is <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2017/8/3/16081576/the-nerlens-noel-situation-is-driving-us-all-crazy-dallas-mavericks">the situation is only going to get worse</a> before it gets better. </p>
<p id="MKBwou">At this point the chances of Noel entering training camp with a deal are probably 50/50 at best and to be honest, it’s likely lower than that. Once training camp starts and the NBA media wheel spins up again, it’ll be the main story everyday until there’s a resolution. It just needs to get done. </p>
<p id="RHqKGo">Anything that prevents Noel from being a Maverick for the next four years will be a colossal failure on both sides — on the Mavericks for not closing on a 23-year-old core centerpiece and on Noel for foolishly throwing away secure dollars and misreading the market.</p>
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https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2017/8/26/16207766/2017-nba-free-agency-nerlens-noel-situation-has-officially-become-a-thing-dallas-mavericksJosh Bowe