NBA Trade Deadline 2018: The 20 best players available

20. Nerlens Noel, Dallas Mavericks

On July 1, Nerlens Noel reportedly turned down a four-year, $70 million contract offer from the Dallas Mavericks, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. When he found his free-agent market to be more tepid than expected, he decided to bet on himself by signing his one-year, $4.1 million qualifying offer, which would enable him to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

How much is he regretting that choice now?

Noel’s first full season in Dallas could not be going worse. The Kentucky product quickly fell out of head coach Rick Carlisle’s rotation for reasons he still can’t explain. Days after making headlines in early December for taking a halftime trip to the media workroom to grab a hot dog, he elected to undergo surgery to repair a torn ligament on his left thumb. (Team owner Mark Cuban made it clear to Earl K. Sneed of Mavericks.com that Noel “personally made the decision” to have the surgery.)

At this point, Noel’s relationship with the Mavericks appears to be beyond the point of repair, which decreases the franchise’s leverage in any potential trade negotiations. If Dallas does find a taker for the big man, his new team would not inherit his Bird rights, further decreasing his trade value. Considering the likelihood of Noel leaving as a free agent in July, the Mavericks would be wise to cut their losses and take whatever paltry haul they can muster for him, even if it’s only a second-round pick.

Next: 19. Larry Nance Jr.