Nerlens Noel and How He Left $70 million on the Table

The Trade:

February 23, 2017: Dallas traded Andrew Bogut, Justin Anderson, and a first round pick to Philadelphia for the athletic Nerlens Noel. Though Dallas gave up a talented swingman and defender in Anderson, it was a deal that finally landed them a center with the athleticism of Tyson Chandler (who they had let go twice) they were looking for and only 22 years of age to boot. It was a deal that many were lambasting Philly and praising Dallas for.

After missing out on Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan in the recent past, it seemed Dallas had the star center for the future they deeply coveted.

The Offer:

When the summer of free agency hit, unlike the past years of netting a "big fish", Dallas made retaining Noel a priority on their to-do list. Also helps their chances of the probability due to him being a Restrictive Free Agent. He had the stamp of approval from the franchise cornerstone.

"We'd love to keep him. We traded for him thinking that he would be a long-term piece for us." -Dirk Nowitzki

As well as his head coach for half of the year.

Eddie Sefko: Rick Carlisle says Nerlens Noel’s re-signing is “a priority,” but nothing is guaranteed. Twitter-ESefko April 13, 2017

Harrison Barnes, Nerlens Noel, Seth Curry and now Dennis Smith ... sources say Dallas is focused on cementing and developing its young core Marc Stein

However, rumors begin to swirl that other teams may be looking to steal Noel off the books from Dallas.

A source from another NBA team (not the Mavs) tells me that there will be “multiple” clubs willing to pay Noel his max once he hits the restricted-free-agent market on July 1. And just so there is no confusion as to what that “max” is: Assuming the cap at $101 million, as the NBA is expecting, Noel’s contract can start at 25 percent of the cap with eight-percent annual raises. That equals $25.25 mil as his starting salary and about $146.45 million over five years. -Scout.com

So, if my league source is correct, Noel is about to get a $108.575 payday if Dallas balks at paying him … because somebody else will do so. -Scout.com

July 1st, 2017: As expected, the Mavericks were the first team to meet with Noel on the opening night of negotiations.

The Mavericks made the call to Noel and agent Happy Walters shortly after the negotiating period opened at 11:01 p.m. Friday night. Said Cuban: “We had a great call with Nerlens. He is excited to continue to play with the Mavs. We can’t comment more than that, but it went well.” -Dallas Morning News

July 18, 2017: However, it seemed things weren't going the way Noel and his management were hoping. He had yet to receive an offer that satisfied him, from Dallas.. or anyone else for that matter.

Agent Happy Walters said the Mavericks have yet to come up with a realistic contract offer. “We’re very disappointed with where things stand,” Walters said. “Nerlens loves Dallas and spent June there working out, but we’re still waiting on a serious offer.” -Dallas Morning News

Noel was hoping to net the kind of contracts other fellow big men were receiving from their respective teams (Steven Adams: 4 years/$100 million extension and Gorgui Dieng: 4 years/$64 million extension). A middle ground between those two contracts in particular was what he was after.

Now it seems as though the Mavericks are done negotiating and waiting for the market to respond.

Nerlens Noel is limited by his restricted free agent status as he is engaged in a stare-down with the Dallas Mavericks. “We are waiting on a legitimate offer from the Mavs,” said Noel’s agent, Happy Walters. “Until that time, Nerlens is training in L.A. until camp opens.” Mavericks owner Mark Cuban doesn’t appear to be budging and is expected to match any offer sheet that Noel could sign. -The Undefeated

Dirk chimed in briefly on the situation providing hopefulness, and levity, for the outcome.

“We’re looking forward to the future and the whole Noel situation is a little unfortunate I think,” Nowitzki said. “We traded for him to keep him for the long run. I’m not sure what the latest is there, but I’m hoping that things will work out and he’s coming back to the Mavs and we’d have a crew that at times can be very athletic — when I’m out of the game.” -Dirk Nowitzki via Dallas Morning News

August 21, 2017: After going nowhere on the contract negotiations and his contract status at a standstill with the Mavericks, Noel fires his agent Happy Walters and hires Rich Paul of Klutch Sports. Worth noting Klutch Sports also has experience in working out lengthy RFA negotiations for some of their clients (Eric Bledsoe and Tristan Thompson).

However, his new management's flat out refusal for the Mavericks' offer ($17.5 million per year for 4 years) garners some criticism from around the league.

Noel turned down a deal in the $17.5m per year range. Not sure changing agents changes the math on him. 10pts 7.5rebs as a career. -Steven Kyler

👀 My guy needs better friends and advisors in his circle -C.J McCollum

that's beyond crazy 🤷🏾‍♂️ -Marquis Daniels

Fuck that. Common sense. Smh -Wilson Chandler

August 26, 2017: Nerlens Noel bets on himself and instead of taking the 4 year/$70 million offer from the Mavs, he signs the 1 year/$4.1 million Qualifying Offer in hopes of raising his profile and status around the league for a big payday next year.

Nerlens Noel clearly betting on himself with acceptance of $4.1M QO. He turned down 4-year, $70M Mavs offer made on July 1, sources say. -Adrian Wojnarowski

Noel's former agent also chimes in.

@ChrisBHaynes You can't rewrite history for @richpaul4 @mcuban offered a 4 year $70m deal and Nerlens passed. #diligencetweets -Happy Walters

Noel's mother is interviewed about the summer.

Dorcina was unaware of Nerlens’ decision, although he was due to arrive later Saturday to discuss his contract and the ramifications. “He told me two weeks ago he’s willing to sign for four years with Dallas, but they’re not giving him much money for four years,” Dorcina said. “He told me he was asking for about $22 million a year, but Dallas refused to give it to him. “He told me, ‘If Dallas gives me $20 million, I’m going to be there because they love me there. I said, ‘Yeah, I love it there, too.'” -Dallas Morning News

Training Camp:

September 25, 2017: After a tense summer, it seemed both Noel and the Mavs were ready to put the saga behind them and look to the future.

"I give Rich Paul a lot of credit: He's a no-nonsense guy," Carlisle said. "When Nerlens switched over to him, Rich had him sign a qualifying offer and it was pretty clear. It's time to go prove it. I love that. Nerlens is ready. He's motivated. We love him. My hope is he's here for many, many years to come. Sometimes, market dynamics are unpredictable. Here we are. I see him having a great year." -ESPN

Noel said he has "never been so excited to play basketball in my life," citing the veterans in the Mavs' locker room, Carlisle's expertise, and the potential of rookie point guard Dennis Smith Jr. However, he stopped short of saying that he hoped for a long-term future with the Mavs. "I love the city of Dallas," Noel said. "I do, but we all know what goes on in this business." -ESPN

The Season:

October 19, 2017: In the season opener against the Hawks, Noel records a double double (16 pts/11 rebs) in only 20 minutes of play.

November 11, 2017: For the first time this season, Noel records a DNP in a 111-104 home loss to the Cavaliers.

"There's no doghouse here," Carlisle said. "There just isn't. It's pretty simple. You compete and if you earn minutes, you get minutes. You got to compete. And our guys have to have an edge. No one's given anything. That's how we have to do things. The situation is we have a lot of tough opponents, record's not good right now. Competing is what it's all about."

December 2, 2017: The Mavs beat the Clippers at home 108-82, but the big story of the game happened during halftime.

Nerlens Noel visited the media dining room at halftime to get a hot dog. -Tim Macmahon

Noel took a humorous approach in addressing the hot dog. As did his coach.

Nerlens Noel on his halftime trip to grab a hot dog from the media room: “I needed some energy for the second half.” he was the only Maverick with a DNP. -Tim Cato

Rick Carlisle: “I hear the hot dogs are very good here.” -Tim Macmahon

Rick Carlisle on Nerlens Noel: “He’s been very professional with the exception of the hot dog incident the other night, which we all had fun with. That’s over with now. And he realized that was a mistake.” -Jay King

December 8, 2017: Noel elects to have thumb surgery for a ligament injury. He's expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

February 28, 2018: Noel finally makes his return to action in a loss to the Thunder. He logs 16 minutes of play.

March 14, 2018: Noel has an interview with Mavs.com wherein he addresses the season to date and where his future lies.

On if he can see himself in a Mavs jersey next season, Noel said he would definitely be open to it. “I can’t say I can’t. I will definitely be open. I am excited to see how the season ends and see what we can make happen,” Noel said.

As we shifted our conversation to the topic of his relationship with Rick Carlisle, it was a chance for Noel to speak directly on the subject after spending over a year with one of the game’s best. “Our relationship is good,” Noel said. “Coach Carlisle is a good guy and a family man. He definitely understands me like I understand him. We’ve never had any type of conflict because at the end of the day we really understand each other for the most part,” Noel expanded.

When opening up about his upcoming summer, Noel wants to head into the offseason with a clear head. “Definitely just an open mindset. Different type of free agency. Little more broad now,” Noel said in reference to being an unrestricted free agent. “Once this summer ends I’ll be working harder than I’ve ever worked. Just growing in this league and being older. Getting the priorities right and evolving. My mindset has only grown stronger in what I really want in life and want from this game. Right when the season ends I will strictly be working on my game and staying to myself and just letting things play out.”

April 3, 2018: Nerlens Noel and the Jazz's Thabo Sefolosha are each suspended 5 games for violating the NBA/NBPA anti-drug program.

The Dallas Mavericks have just 4 games remaining on the season and headed for the lottery.

Free Agency begins July 1, 2018.