Re-Signing Nerlens Noel remains Mavericks top priority this summer
By Trey Daubert
Nerlens Noel is set to hit restricted free agency but the Mavericks seem intent on keeping him at whatever price necessary.
Could another team offer Nerlens Noel a massive offer sheet this summer? The Mavericks don’t care either way; keeping Nerlens Noel is the team’s top priority. The Mavs roster is flawed and finished with one of the worst records this season (33-49), but they’re hoping to keep Noel in house.
Marc Stein of ESPN reported the news:
Re-signing Nerlens Noel, league sources say, is Dallas' offseason priority, far ahead of their long-anticipated interest in UFA Jrue Holiday
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 24, 2017
Stein later added that Noel, Harrison Barnes, Seth Curry and new draftee Dennis Smith are the team’s building blocks. Noel, 23, is best known for his ability to be a rim protector but is limited offensively. Noel averaged 8.5 points per game for the Mavericks in 22 games. Noel came via trade at the deadline in exchange for Justin Anderson and draft pick compensation.
Dallas’ intent on keeping Noel seems obvious. After missing on DeAndre Jordan in free agency, the Mavericks have been in the market for a center for quite some time. The Mavericks were at their best with Tyson Chandler at center alongside future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki. With Dirk nearing the end of the road, it’s no wonder Dallas wants to put the best product on the floor as soon as possible.
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The Mavericks need for a point guard is mitigated by the addition of Dennis Smith Jr. Dallas drafted the N.C. State product with the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Jrue Holliday, as Stein tweeted, is very much on the radar. Then again, they may not be willing to up the ante with Seth Curry and Smith both on the roster already. Now that the point guard position has been taken care of, Dallas will put all its eggs in the Noel basket.