San Antonio Spurs: Could Nerlens Noel be the answer?

With the 2018 NBA trade deadline looming on Thursday, could the San Antonio Spurs make a splash to get Nerlens Noel?

For the first time in what feels like a generation, the San Antonio Spurs have a hole in their roster (aside from the continued absence of Kawhi Leonard). The backup center position is the biggest glaring weakness, which is being exploited by the better teams around the league.

The Spurs tried to fill this hole over the summer with the signing of Joffrey Lauvergne. However, it’s safe to say the play of the Frenchman has been underwhelming. In 34 games, Lauvergne has averaged only 10.0 minutes per game. His 3.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per game are simply not enough.

For the Spurs to advance deep into the playoffs, they are going to need to rectify this weakness. There was talk of Willy Hernangomez, but he has already been traded to the Charlotte Hornets. The answer is a greater risk vs. reward proposition in Nerlens Noel.

Why is Noel a risk?

There have been no rumors linking Noel and the Spurs, but it’s tantalizing to think about. Currently the greatest risk in trading for Noel is he is out after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb. At the moment, his timetable for return is possibly after the All-Star break.

However, as we all know with injuries, they can keep players out longer. It would be disastrous to trade for Noel to have him miss the rest of the season, especially as he is an unrestricted free-agent at the end of the year.

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The second issue which makes Noel a risk is his propensity to speak out when unhappy. When the Philadelphia 76ers had all three of Noel, Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor, Noel did not think he was receiving enough playing time.

It is all well and good to have this opinion, but it is what you do with it which is important. Almost every player who has played the game has felt at one they were not getting their share. You cannot be a truly successful professional athlete without believing you are better than the next guy.

However, Noel aired his displeasure directly to the media. That one act alone will certainly impact his value when he is signing a new contract.

The third issue is Noel’s body. Coming up the end of his fourth season, he has only managed more than 70 games once. In his rookie season, Noel played 75 games. In his next season, Noel played 67 games. His third season he played even less, only suiting up for 51 games.

This season, Noel has only played in 18 of a possible 54 games. So even if he were to return next game, the most games he could play this season would be 46. This is just not good enough for a 23-year-old who has not yet finished four seasons.

How the San Antonio Spurs can turn this around

The first answer to this question is Gregg Popovich. For many years now, the Spurs have been at the forefront of player management. Popovich manages his players’ court time to what they are able to deal with.

With a player like Noel, Popovich would have the luxury of playing him behind Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge, so there would be less pressure on his body.

Secondly, there is the famous Popovich open door policy. The coach encourages his players to come and talk to him rather than the media. Yes, the fact Aldridge was unhappy last offseason got out, but it was in a manner which the Spurs could manage, and it was after the two sides had already sorted things out.

There was no damage done to the San Antonio Spurs brand or Aldridge’s reputation. If fact, if anything, it enhanced the Spurs culture because both parties came to an amicable agreement. Aldridge got a contract extension and the coach even admitted he had made a mistake.

On court benefits

Last season, Dewayne Dedmon was the backup center for the San Antonio Spurs. When he came on the court, he changed how the opposition played.

Gasol, the starting center, is not noted for his defense. Yes, he can block shots, but other than that his defense can be lacking at times. Every time Dedmon hit the court, his level of defensive intensity was off the charts. It ended up showing at the other end with hard working offensive put-backs and explosive dunks.

It is almost impossible to play with a player who shows this much intensity and not feel the adrenaline pump a bit harder. The entire team had a more intense edge with Dedmon out there.

Noel has a similar defensive game, just not with the same intensity — yet. Give Popovich a few weeks with the 23-year-old and we would see a level of intensity he could not achieve otherwise.

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This would more than fix the Spurs’ issue of backup center. If, however, it did not work out, it would not cost the Spurs much and Noel could walk at the end of the season. If it did work out though, the Spurs might be able to sign a future starter for a lower price.