Dallas is unlikely to suddenly turn it around this season, which only makes it more confusing to see 23-year-old center Nerlens Noel sitting on the bench game after game. After signing a $4.2 million qualifying offer this past summer, Noel has disappeared from Rick Carlisle’s rotation other than a few minutes in garbage time. He hasn’t played more than six minutes in a game since logging 14 in a loss to the Timberwolves on Nov. 4.
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Why can’t a young talent like Noel move past a formerly undrafted free agent in Maxi Kleber on the depth chart? Apparently Noel just isn’t trying hard enough.
From Newy Scruggs of The Dallas Morning News:
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban reportedly offered Noel a four-year deal prior to the season but pulled it off the table after Noel asked for a max contract. Unfortunately for Noel, he won’t be getting anything close to that figure when he becomes a free agent in 2018.
Until Noel shows a better work ethic other players will get minutes. I just think we will see Noel traded. It’s a shame because the club had high hopes for him when he came from Philly in a trade last year.
The Sixers sent Noel to the Mavericks in February for a package of Andrew Bogut, Justin Anderson and a first-round pick which turned into two second-round picks after the first-rounder failed to convey ahead of the 2017 NBA Draft. That return seemed poor at the time, but the Mavericks likely wouldn’t receive even that much considering Noel’s trade value has plummeted.
Noel still has time to change the course of his career, but he won’t be able to prove himself in Dallas (or anywhere else) if he doesn’t care enough to put in the effort.
