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NBA: 5 players that desperately need a fresh start

By Morgan Dunn

DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 25: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks during play in the first quarter at American Airlines Center on February 25, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 25: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks during play in the first quarter at American Airlines Center on February 25, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – FEBRUARY 25: Nerlens Noel #3 and DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans during play in the first quarter at American Airlines Center on February 25, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – FEBRUARY 25: Nerlens Noel #3 and DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans during play in the first quarter at American Airlines Center on February 25, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Nerlens Noel

Nerlens Noel has had a really odd career to date. He looked like a good bet for the top pick in the 2013 NBA Draft before an injury forced him to slide to the sixth pick. That’s where the Philadelphia 76ers began “the process” by trading Jrue Holiday and selecting Noel to start their rebuild alongside Michael Carter-Williams.

Noel never found his role in Philadelphia but seemed to earn a new lease on life when he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks last February. Dallas had little young talent, and Noel finished the season with a flurry of impressive performances that hinted at Tyson Chandler-like potential down the road.

Many NBA pundits expected Noel to receive an offer upwards of $100 million as a restricted free agent this past offseason, but no such offer sheets were to be found. Noel’s then-agent confirmed that they did turn down Dallas’ offer of $70 million over four years, electing instead to sign Noel’s qualifying offer of $4.1 million in the classic “I’m betting on myself” decision.

Well, that decision could potentially cost Noel a lot of money. The former Kentucky star has started six of the Mavericks’ 12 games this season, but he’s posting just a shade over 17 minutes per contest. His Per-36 averages of 11.5 points, 11.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.7 blocks per game look solid at a glance, but it’s obvious that seasoned head coach Rick Carlisle doesn’t trust Noel. There have been theories thrown around that the Mavericks are punishing Noel for rejecting their sizable offseason offer, but that feels more like fiction than reality.

Noel is still just 23 years old, and one has to think he’ll receive a fresh start after this season at the latest. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent following the 2017-18 campaign, but what kind of market will he find for himself if he continues to play less than 20 minutes a game this year?

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