How Philadelphia 76ers trading Nerlens Noel changed NBA center market

By Bret Stuter | Aug 30, 2017

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) /

4 of 5

CAMDEN,NJ – SEPTEMBER 26: Jahlil Okafor /

Qualifying offer magic

Now you might find this curious from the team who traded for the rights to Noel not to offer more for his services. But the Dallas Mavericks, when they obtained Noel, also obtained the rights to extending a qualifying offer to him.

A qualifying offer is a Collective Bargaining Agreement formula which affords both player and team some level of protection. It helps the player by ensuring they are picked up at a one-year contract rate. It protects the team by providing a matching clause. In short, the $4.1 million qualifying offer ensured the Mavericks the right to match any other bids for Noel.

Reality sets in

In the end, Noel signed for far less than his asking price

BREAKING: Nerlens Noel signs a one year $4.1 million deal pic.twitter.com/DyFXOgCuGR
— MFFL (@Mavs_FFL) August 26, 2017

But qualifying offers do not do many things. They provide the team the right to match an offer. Should the team opt not to do so, there are no “compensatory picks” in an upcoming draft to compensate for losing a player.

And as such, it does not limit the number of teams which can bid on the player’s services.