The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers: Do you miss Nerlens Noel? I do

Jason Blevins|
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 17: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on prior to the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on March 17, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 17: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on prior to the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on March 17, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 17: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on prior to the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on March 17, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 17: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on prior to the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on March 17, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

With Nerlens Noel not receiving an offer from any team and not having a contract with the Dallas Mavericks, should the Philadelphia 76ers regret trading him?

Nerlens Noel was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in February for a top 20 protected first round pick and Justin Anderson. I will not use this time to disparage Justin Anderson. What I want to focus on for a few minutes are the stated drivers for the trade.

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers

Bryan Colangelo has spent his first 14 months as Philadelphia 76ers General Manager essentially making the right moves at the right time. This is not about piling onto Colangelo. But what Bryan focused on after the trade was that Nerlens would be a restricted free agent and the team did not wish to lose him for no compensation.

That was a valid perspective, to be sure at the time. The discussions last winter centered around the assumption that Noel would command up to $20 million per year. Much debate occurred regarding if that was too much to spend on a backup center. The alternative opinion focused on the extreme cap flexibility and the “Embiid insurance” aspect of retaining Noel.

Dallas and Restricted Free Agency Rights

Dallas was among a number of teams with a glaring need for a rim protector and gave up a modest sum to acquire those restricted free agency rights to Noel as well as get 22 games to kickstart integration into their team. Giving up Justin Anderson who had been relegated to DNP-CD (Did Not Play — Coaches Decision) status on a high lottery team along with two second round picks was a no brainer.

I believe that Dallas was willing to match any reasonable offer for Noel. But we are 12 days into NBA  free agency and not a single team has offered Noel a competitive contract. Meanwhile, negotiations between Noel, his agent and the Mavericks have a difficult negotiation simply because there is no market for his services.