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NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 potential destinations for Nerlens Noel

By Paul Centopani

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 30: Nerlens Noel
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 30: Nerlens Noel /
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BOSTON – FEBRUARY 15: Celtics’ Marcus Smart, bottom, competes for the ball with 76ers’ Nerlens Noel, center, as Celtics’ Al Horford reaches in during the first quarter. The Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden in Boston on Feb. 15, 2017. (Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON – FEBRUARY 15: Celtics’ Marcus Smart, bottom, competes for the ball with 76ers’ Nerlens Noel, center, as Celtics’ Al Horford reaches in during the first quarter. The Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden in Boston on Feb. 15, 2017. (Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

2. Boston Celtics

The Celtics have the shrewdest-built team in the entire NBA. Through fleeced trades, good drafting, and smart signings, Boston boasts star power, star potential, youth, versatility, and depth. Arguably, the only soft spot on their roster is an athletic, rim-protecting center.

Over the course of 2017-18, Boston finished tied for 18th in blocks per game with 4.5, 23rd in steals per game at 7.4, and 14th in rebound percentage at 50.3 percent. Despite all this, they posted the top-rated defense last year. Imagine what they could do with a legit shot-blocker and someone who could fill the only negligible voids they have.

The reservation with Noel would be his attitude possibly going south and souring the locker room. But Boston has a strong team-first culture and if anyone can siphon the best out of their players, it’s Brad Stevens. He’ll put Noel in the right spots and right lineups to have him shine.

Oh, and did you know Noel was born in Malden, Massachusetts, just 15 minutes outside of Boston? Get the “I’m coming home” montage cued up.

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