Nerlens Noel was a revelation for the Knicks this season. Signed to a one-year, $5MM deal to back up Mitchell Robinson, Noel stepped up to fill the starting spot for a majority of the season after multiple injuries kept Robinson out of the lineup, and was one of the best defensive centers in the league during that time.
Now, Noel is hitting unrestricted free agency once again and he spoke to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype about the decision he’ll face.
“Whether it’s a team that has or hasn’t been to the playoffs, I just want to help the team overall with my playing style and wreaking havoc defensively and catching lobs,” Noel said. “It’s about finding the right fit. Guard play that can help a big man excel. Small things like that I think will be an ideal fit. ”
Scotto writes that Noel could potentially double his 2020/21 earnings next year in whatever deal he signs. The Hornets, Mavericks, Nets and Raptors have been rumored to have interest in his services.
We have more news and notes on the Knicks:
- Cameron Payne has had a remarkable last season-and-a-half for the Suns, which could put him in a position to secure a $10MM+ deal in this summer’s free agency, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. The Knicks, who are looking for answers at point guard and will have the most cap room of any team, could be a suitor for Payne, Berman writes. If Chris Paul stays in Phoenix, it will be difficult financially for the Suns to retain Payne.
- The Knicks are considering Quentin Grimes with one of their two first-round picks, writes Berman in a separate article. The 6’4″ guard’s stock has risen considerably over the most recent season and the pre-draft process, and the Knicks were reportedly “wowed” by his combination of shot-making and defense during workouts.
- Berman writes that the team also worked out Virginia’s Trey Murphy III on Tuesday. Murphy isn’t considered a high-ceiling prospect, but he fits head coach Tom Thibodeau‘s edict of getting “wings and guys who can shoot.” Berman reports that Oregon’s Chris Duarte is under consideration as well, and that the Lakers, picking one slot after the Knicks, have also shown interest in Murphy.
You have to wonder if maybe Noel earned back some of that ridiculous contract he turned down a few years back. I have to think that after this season someone will be willing to pay him pretty good money for multiple years. Maybe not the 4/60 or whatever he turned down, but I could see a 4/40 deal for him.
Eh, as good as he was defensively, he was that bad offensively. I like him, but I don’t think he’s worth more than maybe a two year commitment. I’d be hesitant to give him any more than 2/$16 million. Maybe 2/$20 million but I think that’s stretching it especially considering his extensive injury history. Plus, imo, his body is just not built for much more than 25 minutes a game.
That said, maybe you’re right and he secures a deal like the one you’re predicting. I certainly wouldn’t want to be the one to give him it, though.
I understand your qualms, and I would agree if Noel was 29, but he is still young enough that he could turn a serious corner still. He is uber talented and could see a blossoming like Julius Randle. Well maybe not to that extent, but he is talented enough to maybe make 3rd team All NBA center at some point. I mean lots of big men have been fairly mediocre on offense. Look at Ben Wallace and he just made the HOF. Not that Noel is the rebounder that Wallace was, but you get my point.
I think there are certain metrics with Noel that you could look at from last season – +3.5 DBPM, .638 TS%, 2.2 BPM & 1.1 SPM in just 24 MPG – and convince yourself that he’s worth 10M annually.
But I think you would have to believe that he can make the leap from a 24 MPG player to a 32-34 MPG player and be your starting center.
I’m not sure how many teams really need a new traditional starting C – and of the teams that do I’m not sure how many will have the faith that Noel’s body will be able to withstand that punishment long-term.
Payne plays 60 games this season
Most closed to 50,40,90
FG 48.4%
3 pt 44%
FT 89.3%
Real value 3 year $40 million
Market value 4 year $60 million
If Noel can get that type of contract, then he should jump at it, and the NYK should thank him and wish him well. I’m skeptical that there will be that type of market for his services. He was great last year, but he played in a defensive system that leveraged his skill set like few others around the league currently do.
He’ll get offers, with a starting spot penciled in, most likely. But I’m not sure his projected role (including MPG) or the $$ will be much better than the NYK can provide, even with Mitch in front of him on the DC.
No one is giving a marginal starting center a 4-year deal at $10M/year, even if he’s only 27. Noel should be able to get a 2 or 3 year deal for $6M-$7M/year.
Guess we will just have to wait and see.
Agree with Wallywood
Once again, you made me feel much better about my opinion by agreeing with the opposing viewpoint.
Marc Berman read my post about Payne salary
Lol
I’d be good with Grimes and Murphy. Both can solidify our bench. And are ready to help. But it means we Have to sign a PG and scorer.
Noel deserves a payday. He’s 26 and should take best offer. I’ve said this for three yrs now. TWolves should sign him to start with KAT. Knicks will draft a big with 32 pick. Murphy is solid man. Both these guys can help. I’d be ecstatic if we get both.
Noels 3 past seasons:
18/19: 5 pts 4 rbs 1 blks
19/20: 7, 5, 1.5
20/21: 5, 6, 2
He doesn’t deserve anything. Probably needs a therapist for turning down that money.
Why is everybody overrating Noel?? Why would a team spend 10-15m on a center that averages 5.1 pts & got benched for a 36 year old in the playoffs?? Imo he’s worth 6-7m but he can probably persuade a team to give him 8m.
Everybody? Only 1 person in the thread thinks he’s getting anything more than you’re suggesting. He wasn’t benched in the playoffs, he was hurt.
Hurt? Dude he played in every playoff game lol. Even if he was dinged up you still don’t lose your starting spot to a 36 year old PF.
In fairness, that was a questionable decision by Thibs IMO, which isn’t entirely on Noel.
I think another coach would have given the nod to Noel over Gibson. But Thibs is known for loving his comfort zones – he also played Rose about 47m a night too.
Real simple. If he wasn’t hurt, the issue of starting Gibson never would have come up. That’s not in dispute, except perhaps between you and you.
In any event: who is everybody?
I’m not saying it will be a GOOD contract, but he will get it. He is a former high lottery pick that has improved enough to get buzz while on a team that improved greatly. Some team will give him the deal and probably regret it.
This is not what I would do if I were running a team, or even if I think he is worth the deal. Personally I don’t any basketball player or any person in general is worth 10 million a year. But that is beside the point. This is just what I think at least one of the people currently running teams in the NBA will do.
Plenty of big men have gotten very lucrative deals with worse stats than Noel. Ian Mahinmi got 4/60 with far less accompishments.
In fairness to the banter about Noel, I’m not sure how much I would want to pay Robinson long-term either.
He’s younger, which is nice. But he was hurt all last year and was playing largely a reserve role in 19-20.
He’s still yet to prove he can be a full-time starting C in the league, and the league is moving further from traditional starting centers every year – DeAndre Ayton’s recent success notwithstanding.
The move away from centers is really a cyclical pendulum effect. After Jordan, the league was dominated by big men like Shaq, Mourning, Mutombo, and others. Then the dominant centers started drying up, so the league switched to a small man’s league. But now we have Jokic, Ayton, and several others that could make it a big man’s league once again. The one thing you really can’t improve with work is height.