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NBA Free Agency news has been quiet the last few weeks, but Dallas Mavericks center Nerlens Noel has made a mini-splash, turning down a four-year deal from the Mavericks to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2018. According to Chris Haynes of ESPN, Noel will accept a one-year qualifying offer in Dallas, worth approximately $4.1 million. After that, he will be free to sign with any team who will offer him a contract.
ESPN Sources: Restricted free agent Nerlens Noel accepts Mavs' one-year, $4.1 million qualifying offer. https://t.co/7zfyg569Y4
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 26, 2017
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN describes the contract Noel turned down in the process.
Nerlens Noel clearly betting on himself with acceptance of $4.1M QO. He turned down 4-year, $70M Mavs offer made on July 1, sources say.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2017
Tim MacMahon of ESPN adds:
Nerlens Noel asked Mavs for max. Offer was pulled soon thereafter, per sources. https://t.co/VVEOfhWkgt
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) August 26, 2017
But Haynes modifies:
Nerlens Noel signs 1-year, $4.1 million QO to return to Mavs, league sources tell ESPN. Reported $17M "offer " was non-existent in any form.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 26, 2017
Dallas traded for Noel in February of the 2016-17 season. He averaged 8.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in 51 appearances for the Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers last year. The Sixers originally drafted him sixth overall in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Earlier this week, Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum advised Noel to seek better advisers after rumors of him rejecting Dallas’ deal circulated on Twitter. He retracted that today based on Haynes’ information.
My apologies . Keep those friends and advisors https://t.co/RIFh7VhHzh
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) August 26, 2017