Dallas Mavericks: Complete 2017 offseason grades
The Nerlens Noel saga
Acquired on the day of the trade deadline last season, the Mavericks came away clear winners with the addition of Nerlens Noel. After a solid, if not flashy, first impression upon arriving to Dallas, all the Mavericks had to do was negotiate a new deal with Noel since he was set to enter restricted free agency in the summer.
However, all hope for a quick and swift negotiation was quickly dashed as it became clear that both sides were at odds over an agreement that suited both parties’ needs. While the threat of another team coming in and making a gargantuan offer sheet to Noel did exist, that never came to fruition as the money being thrown out to the players in the free agent market tightened up practically in real time.
Eventually, details surfaced over what was reportedly offered to Noel on the part of the Mavericks ($70 million over four years, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski) and likewise, what Noel was demanding from the Mavs (a max offer, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon).
Finally, in late August, Noel signed his qualifying offer of $4.2 million for just the upcoming season, mere days after he switched agents and signed with Rich Paul, the famous player agent.
As much of a risk as that it is for Noel, the Mavericks could possibly be setting themselves up for a more contentious standoff next summer with the Massachusetts native being an unrestricted free agent (a point that lured Paul into signing with Noel, as noted by ESPN’s Chris Haynes).
First things first, Noel will have to prove that not only he can stay relatively healthy for the regular season, but play at a level that fits with the price tag that he clearly is looking to get next offseason.
If he can achieve both to a certain degree, then this summer might serve as a mere bandaid to this whole situation. But above else, the ball is in Noel’s court to prove that he’s truly the high-priced player that he aspires to be.
Grade: B-