Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the Golden State Warriors

By Scott Rafferty

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 31: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers controls the ball against Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 31, 2018 in Oakland, 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 31: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers controls the ball against Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 31, 2018 in Oakland, 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 28: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks rebounds the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 28, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 28: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks rebounds the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 28, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Nerlens Noel

Nerlens Noel lost himself a lost of money this season. After turning down a $70 million extension last offseason in the hopes of signing a more lucrative contract this offseason, he appeared in 30 games with the Mavericks and logged 15.7 minutes per contest on a team that won 24 games. He wasn’t as productive in those minutes as he has been in years past, either, with averages of 10.0 points, 12.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per 36 minutes.

As discouraging as those figures are for a former lottery pick who only recently turned 24, Noel still brings clear value to a roster as an imposing rim protector with the ability to play above the rim as a roll man and cutter. JaVale McGee is a testament to how valuable having a 7-footer who can do those things at high level can be on a team loaded with playmakers, even in as little a quarter’s worth of minutes per game.

If the market dries up for Noel following another disappointing season, spending a year or two in Golden State in a McGee-type role might be help him find his footing in the NBA. That, of course, is assuming the Warriors would be willing to roll the dice on someone who doesn’t have the best of reputations character-wise.

Home/Golden State Warriors