You just don’t turn down a million dollars, let alone $17.5 million. But that’s exactly what free agent center Nerlens Noel just did, as the shot-block artist swatted away the Dallas Mavericks’ multi-million contract offer earlier this week.
Whatever the reason that made Noel decide that that amount of money isn’t up to his par, it must be better than what Latrell Sprewell’s “I got my family to feed” response when he rejected a $21-million contract extension from the Minnesota Timberwolves because Noel’s fellow NBA players are having a hard time processing what just happened.
Take for example Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum, who voiced out his disbelief of Noel’s decision on Twitter, even suggesting that Noel has to start evaluating the people around him.




👀 My guy needs better friends and advisors in his circle https://t.co/YI6Zwko6Dd
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) August 24, 2017
Noel recently hired a new agent in Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, as the center continues to search for a better deal. Paul is likely the one behind Noel’s decision to reject Dallas’ offer, and if so, he must be feeling the pressure of finding Noel a better deal.
Their options aren’t as diverse and interest in Noel’s services could be waning now that teams have the idea that Noel won’t come as cheap as they used to think.