Fansided

So what is really going on with Nerlens Noel?

By Keith Parish

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 4: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 4, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 4: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 4, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Restricted free agency. Is it restricted or free? Pretty sure it can’t be both. It certainly favors the team over the player, making it nearly impossible for the player to change teams. That is, unless someone (*cough* KNICKS) ponies up and pays way more than expected.

Still, in many cases the player’s agent can leverage an offer and work out a long term deal, ensuring financial security for the player, even if it ends up at a lower per year number than he had previous dreamt of.

And then there’s Nerlens Noel — a big man with no shooting range who has battled injuries and averaged double digit scoring just once (11.1 points per game in 2015-16). He reportedly turned down a contract for four years, $70 million to accept his qualifying offer of $4.1 million, which will make him an unrestricted free agent next summer. He’s going to need to sign a contract that pays him MORE than $66 million over three years next summer to out-earn the contract he declined, which frankly seems nearly impossible.

What are we at Fastbreak Breakfast missing here? Yes, Noel is a good, young, athletic big man. Does he just really hate playing in Dallas? Or perhaps has he worked out something under the table, à la Joe Smith? Maybe in exchange for a low cap hold next year, there’s a “wink wink” understanding for the future? Or as Chuck (@themightychuck) suggests: perhaps the NBA is merely a side hustle to Noel’s primary gig operating an “UBER for tombstones” business catering to disgruntled renters who want to lash out.

Sound ridiculous? Then maybe this episode isn’t for you. We do, however, begrudgingly rehash the Kyrie Irving/Isaiah Thomas deal, if that’s your thing. And talk Michael Bay movies. And breakfast.

All Fastbreak Breakfast episodes are also available for download on iTunes and Soundcloud.

Original music provided by Codaphonic

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