NBA: One breakout candidate for every team heading into 2018-19

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)

Oklahoma City Thunder

Perhaps I’m still stuck in the years of past, but I still believe Nerlens Noel can be a really good player in the modern NBA. He can move well, is a great defensive body and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective.

The big question is whether or not he’s going to see enough minutes this season with the Oklahoma City Thunder in order to get the opportunity to truly see his value. In OKC, he’ll be playing behind Steven Adams and potentially Patrick Patterson.

In the modern NBA, it’s not a given that two centers receive minutes every night, with small ball basketball taking over in most fourth quarters. It’s gong to be interesting to see how much Noel sees the floor in OKC.