NBA: Ranking all 30 starting centers for 2017-18

23. Nerlens Noel, Dallas Mavericks

At some point, this uncomfortable feud between the Dallas Mavericks and Nerlens Noel will be resolved, because one thing’s for sure: Rick Carlisle‘s plan to start Dirk Nowitzki at the 5 is going to cost this team buckets left and right on the defensive end.

Whether the Mavs are trying to stifle his value as an unrestricted free agent next summer or there really is bad blood between the two sides, Noel is entering a potentially career-defining year in 2017-18. After being dumped by the Philadelphia 76ers in his third season, Noel is hoping for a fresh start in Big D.

Last year, he averaged 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steals per game in 22 appearances with the Mavs, so he’s got a long way to go in proving he’s a franchise center. But expecting him to come off the bench all season is unrealistic, so at some point he’ll get his chance to prove he’s the right man for the job.