NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the Brooklyn Nets

By Ian Levy | Jun 1, 2018

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 9: Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 9, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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DALLAS, TX – SEPTEMBER 25: Noel Nerlens #3 of the Dallas Mavericks poses for a portrait during the Dallas Mavericks Media Day on September 25, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Nerlens Noel

Noel’s rocky tenure with the Dallas Mavericks is almost certainly over and he’ll be entering the summer as an unrestricted free agent. He won’t realistically be able to command the type of salary he was looking last year, driving down the cost. His stock is about as low as it can go, but for a team like the Nets he could absolutely be worth the risk.

At his hypothetical best, Noel is a versatile defender capable of defending the rim and stepping out to switch on smaller players on the perimeter. On offense he’s fairly limited but with his size and athleticism, has value as a rim-runner.

Noel’s game overlaps quite a bit with Jarrett Allen, and he’s yet to show he can stay healthy and do it consistently. In addition, the reputation of being a malcontent is beginning to grow. Still, Noel probably has more upside than Jahlil Okafor and if the Nets can keep talking down his salary he could absolutely be worth a swing.

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