How Philadelphia 76ers trading Nerlens Noel changed NBA center market

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 17: Jahlil Okafor #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on March 17, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Mavericks 116-74. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 17: Jahlil Okafor #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on March 17, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Mavericks 116-74. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/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) /

Undervalued versus deflated

The value of that Noel trade with the Dallas Mavericks remains to be fully realized, but it breaks down to this.  The Dallas Mavericks shed a huge contract in center Andrew Bogut.  In his place, the Mavericks picked up expiring contract Nerlens Noel.  On the Philadelphia 76ers side, the team received wing Justin Anderson plus a complex draft pick compensation which eventually played out as the Dallas Mavericks second round picks in 2017 and 2018.

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  • In that exchange, it’s difficult to asses the value for Noel, and the value for absorbing the Bogut contract.   But suffice it to say that the Mavericks did not deal much for the rights to Nerlens Noel. But was it a shrewd deal, or deflated value?

    Mirage value

    The answer lies in the free agency market which followed by mere months. As Christopher Kline described in his follow up, the market for Nerlens Noel evaporated. POOF!  Gone.

    But the market forces for Nerlens Noel would have been dramatically different had the Philadelphia 76ers NOT traded Noel.  Surprised?

    It’s okay if you are, specifically since no team made an offer for the young center. But before we draw the wrong conclusions, let’s discuss this.