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 – JANUARY 27 : Nerlens Noel #4 of the Philadelphia 76ers signs autographs for young fans prior to the game against the Houston Rockets at Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA,PA – JANUARY 27 : Nerlens Noel #4 of the Philadelphia 76ers signs autographs for young fans prior to the game against the Houston Rockets at Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Noel’s place in process history

The Noel trade in 2013 was really what woke me up that Sam Hinkie was trying something truly different. He has always been one of the pillars of the process. I do think that casual fans look at box scores and offensive counting stats and therefore do not appreciate what a true rim protector can bring to a team. His lack of a jump shot or any one on one offensive moves has long stood out to the eye test as well.

But if you look back at the process era, no one has had to endure as heavy a burden as Nerlens Noel. Like Embiid, he was forced to red shirt his first year due to an ACL injury suffered at Kentucky. He then came into a team that had been dismantled piece by piece around him. Each time he gained cohesion with a point guard it seemed that he had a new one to learn to play with.

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He took far too much heat as the best player on the worst team. This was simply unfair to someone with a very particular set of skills. Noel is never going to be a two way star but he has a very real chance of having a Tyson Chandler type career.

What will he ultimately cost?

As of right now, Nerlens Noel counts at $10.9 million as a cap hold against the Dallas Mavericks. This is essentially the same price of Amir Johnson. If Noel does not get a competing offer, he and Dallas could agree to a one-year deal as low as $5.8 million for the qualifying offer. This would make Noel an unrestricted free agent next summer.

And when you look around the league, teams space is drying up rapidly. There is a very real possibility that something in the $12-to-15 million range is the contract Noel receives. That would be excellent value for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Next: Roundtable -- Thoughts on the Sixers' free agency moves

Alas I know the ship has sailed, but part of me will miss having Nerlens around when the team finally tastes lasting success.