Buy or Sell: Which OKC Thunder free agents should stay?

Should the OKC Thunder Buy or Sell: Nerlens Noel

The Thunder got a bargain when they first picked up Nerlens Noel who chose not to take a long-term contract with the Dallas Mavericks in 2017.

Noel was offered and declined a four-year, $70 million contract by the Mavericks in July 2017, mistakenly expecting he could command even more on the open marker.

He instead signed a one-year deal in Dallas before coming to Oklahoma City on a two-year, $3.7 million contract.

Noel, 25, hasn’t lived up to the hype around him when he was taken first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2013.

However, despite his early career injuries, he’s managed to stay healthy and useful in his two seasons with the Thunder.

Sitting behind regular starter Steven Adams has allowed Noel to sit back and be primarily used as the second unit center.

For the 2019-20 NBA season, Noel averaged 7.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game having only started nine games for the Thunder.

His greatest impact comes on the defensive end of the court where he serves as the bench unit’s primary rim protector.

In the last series against the Houston Rockets, Noel didn’t shy away from the moment.

Noel’s value going forward depends on what direction the team decides to move in.

Should the team decide to move Adams as part of a rebuild, Noel’s youth and recent turn in health — only missing 15 games the last two seasons — would be an ideal choice as their center of the immediate future.

If Adams stays, keeping Noel might prove to be too expensive for a Thunder team that also holds onto Chris Paul, Gallinari and Dennis Schroder.

Noel is worth keeping around for the right price.