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

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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SACRAMENTO, CA – APRIL 4: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 4, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – APRIL 4: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 4, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Dallas’ leverage complexity

The Mavericks have found themselves in a situation with all of the leverage but no cover for exercising that leverage. They have to find a way to justify any large commitment to Noel or risk having a disgruntled player. They are essentially negotiating with themselves at this point.

Good problem to have

But let me be clear. They are in an enviable position simply because they have the leverage and the rights to match. And I for one wish the Philadelphia 76ers had this tricky problem to deal with themselves. Nerlens Noel certainly does not have the offensive arsenal that Embiid has. And when viewed in a vaccuum, Noel is an inferior offensive player to Jahlil Okafor. But basketball is not played in space.

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I was very much hoping to see Ben Simmons and Nerlens Noel play together. Noel is a rim runner and a finisher on lobs in the pick-and-roll. Ben Simmons is a fantastic creator and needs finishers around him. Okafor needs the ball and space and time to operate in isolation. For this reason I have always maintained that Noel was a better offensive option for THIS TEAM.

On the defensive end, we know that rim protection is a huge issue when Joel Embiid is on the bench. Teams relentlessly attack the paint when Embiid sits down. Richaun Holmes certainly gets his share of blocks, but he does not dissuade teams from attacking downhill. Noel is someone teams have to be aware of, he maintains position better than Holmes.

I say all these even though I love what Richaun Holmes brings to the team from an energy standpoint.