Dallas Mavericks: Biggest strengths and weaknesses for 2017-18 season
Weakness No. 2: Not signing Nerlens Noel to a long-term deal
Here’s where things get interesting for the Dallas Mavericks and Nerlens Noel. After both sides were unable to find common ground on a long-term deal this offseason, it looks like drama could be brewing.
Sources close to the situation stated that the Mavs offered Noel a four-year deal worth $70 million on July 1. Noel ultimately turned down that offer and asked for a max offer. Dallas pulled its offer by the time he decided to sign for the qualifying offer.
Nerlens Noel asked Mavs for max. Offer was pulled soon thereafter, per sources. https://t.co/VVEOfhWkgt
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) August 26, 2017
Asking for a max deal may have been a bit premature for Noel. He’s entering just his fourth season in the NBA. He was traded by the Philadelphia 76ers to the Mavericks for Andrew Bogut, Justin Anderson and a second round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
He’s still young and developing as an offensive player. There’s no doubting his defensive prowess. The beauty of social media is always the power of celebrities to post interesting things.
Exhibit A:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXCE9n5njG9/
Back on July 26, Noel made an interesting post with video of him perfecting his craft on the hardwood floor. Conspiracy theories aside, one of the most interesting hashtags is #IdBetOnMyself. It seems in signing the Mavericks’ qualifying offer for $4.1 million, Noel thinks it was worth the gamble to hit the free agent market in the 2018 offseason.
Noel betting on himself comes as a double-edged sword for the Dallas Mavericks. On one side, Noel could have a career season for the Mavericks, they overachieve in the playoffs and both sides leave grateful. On the other side, Noel’s successful season could mean he finds a bigger payday on the free agent market next summer.
It’s understandable the Mavericks didn’t offer a max deal to Noel. He’s been sidelined due to an ACL injury and has played over 70 games in a season since his rookie year. At either rate, Harrison Barnes should be prepared to play some power forward this season based on how things have currently gone for the Mavericks.