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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CLEVELAND, OH – MARCH 06: Andrew Bogut
CLEVELAND, OH – MARCH 06: Andrew Bogut /

Mavericks needed new center

The problem with the qualifying offer is that it works to a team’s advantage if no other team shows interest. But the recounting of how things would play out if the Philadelphia 76ers had not traded Noel are based on mythical assumptions.

The Dallas Mavericks traded for Noel specifically to ensure they had the rights to him in this off-season. Had they failed to do so, the Mavericks would be shopping for a center.  Whether or not Noel was signed, they would have signed a replacement for Bogut.

Don’t compare the different scenarios

That means some team would be in the market for Noel. And had the 76ers made the $4.1 million qualifying offer, some other team would offer a greater amount to sign Noel.  In that scenario, the 76ers would like not have matched the new offer.  And so, Noel would sign elsewhere, and the 76ers would have neither Justin Anderson, nor the benefit of those Mavericks picks.

In the end, it’s two very different narratives. One is history, the other is fiction.  The Philadelphia 76ers had already lost the patience and interest of Nerlens Noel. He wanted out, and no qualifying offer could hope to assuage his unrest of competing for playing time on this team.

Next: Elton Brand named Delaware 87ers’ GM

In Dallas, he knows he is the center.  Signing for a contract knowing the opportunity is already gift-wrapped for him is a far different situation than that he experienced in Philadelphia.  Ultimately, Nerlens Noel knows that the Philadelphia 76ers is Joel Embiid‘s team. Now, he is willing to take a discount in the hopes he can make the Dallas Mavericks Nerlens Noel’s team.