Dallas Mavericks center Nerlens Noel has had a difficult career in the short amount of time he's been in the NBA. He's been ridden with injuries, and when it hasn't been that, it's been a lack of playing time.
But in recent weeks this season, Noel has gotten the point where he's actually playing well for the Mavericks. On Saturday against the Charlotte Hornets, he posted a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds in a close loss.
After signing a qualifying offer in August of last year, Noel will be a free agent once July 1 hits. And with so few games left in the season, Noel may be looking to show other teams what he can contribute if he gets consistent playing time.
But to hear Noel tell it, he's just out there having fun playing the game he loves, per Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News.
“I'm just playing basketball and having fun,” he said. “If that means showcase, then that's fine, but I think I'm going out there just doing what I love to do.”
Noel was acquired by the Philadelphia 76ers in a 2013 draft-day trade, then later traded to the Mavericks just a couple years after that. He also spent some time with the Delaware 87ers before he was traded to the Mavericks.
Noel is still a raw player with a limited skill set, but he does have something you just can't teach: size and athleticism. Those attributes still come at a premium in the NBA. Just look at DeAndre Jordan with the L.A. Clippers.
So long as Noel doesn't go for the moon in free agency, he can find a team that is in need of his services. But if he goes out there asking for a max contract, he'll quickly find himself out of the NBA.
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