Report: Nerlens Noel turns down deal for $17.5 million per year

Nerlens Noel is looking to cash in this summer, but it looks like he won’t settle for an average of $17.5 million per year, per reports.

It may be late August, but there are still free agents in the NBA that are left unsigned. One of the most notable names on the market is big man Nerlens Noel.

It’s complicated because Noel is a restricted free agent, so he’s in a long stare down with the Dallas Mavericks. Recently, he decided to part ways with his agent and instead hired Rich Paul of Klutch Sports.

It’s pretty simple: Noel believes he’s worth a max contract, while the Mavericks seem to think he’s worth less than that. Since Noel is a restricted free agent, he doesn’t have the leverage to talk with other teams and sign elsewhere.

To some extent, it’s a game of chicken and it’ll be interesting to see who gives in. But the latest reports from Steve Kyler notes that Noel turned down a hefty deal.

That’s a pretty good chunk of change for the ex-Kentucky standout, who’s played with the 76ers and the Mavericks. In his 22 games with Dallas to close out the 2016-17 NBA season, Noel averaged 8.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game on 58 percent shooting.

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That’s less than his career averages of 10 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Although Noel’s only 22-years-old, he’s looking to try and get paid based on future value.

The contract that the Mavericks have put forth so far, per Kyler’s report, is a pretty solid one. Not many players with those numbers are getting paid that kind of money on a yearly basis.

Paul is known to be an agent that’s willing to hold out until a team pays up. He’s represented Tristan Thompson and J.R. Smith in the past — both players have held out until teams have ponied up a lot of cash. Noel is hoping for the same in his case.