Fansided

Which impending NBA free agents could have contributed in the Conference Finals?

By Ti Windisch

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 11: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors on April 11, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 11: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors on April 11, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – MARCH 30: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 30, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Nerlens Noel

He’s had about the worst start to a career that a promising young big man can have, but Nerlens Noel should not be counted out just yet. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent in July, and it’s a pretty safe bet that Noel will not be heading back to Dallas next season after the way his Mavericks tenure went down.

Noel has not been a full-time starter since his sophomore season with the Philadelphia 76ers, so it’s hard to know exactly how he will look if he does get a starting gig or a significant bench role on whichever team signs him next. Even though he’s been in tough situations, Noel has posted some damn good numbers over the past few years.

Noel has averaged 12.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.7 blocks per 36 minutes in his career thus far. He’s a 51.2 percent shooter from the field who has not gone below 51 percent since his rookie year.

Watching Clint Capela use his length and athleticism to affect games on both ends without a jumper, it’s easy to see how Noel could be similarly effective in the right role. He might be affordable considering his weird Mavericks situation and the NBA valuing big men less than ever, meaning a contender could snag him on the cheap.

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