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From high hopes to riding the bench: A timeline of everything that's happened with Mavs C Nerlens Noel Share This Story On... Twitter
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Smiley N. Pool/Staff Photographer Dallas Mavericks forward Nerlens Noel (3) celebrates after dunking the ball past Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore during the first half of an NBA basketball game at American Airlines Center on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Dallas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News)
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Nerlens Noel was thought to be part of the Mavs' young core when he was acquired from the 76ers. It now appears there's a good chance Noel isn't even on the roster next season. How did we get here?
From contract negotiations to a hot dog, here is a timeline of how the Noel saga has unfolded since the trade.
Feb. 23: Mavericks trade for Noel The Mavs made an unexpected move at last season's trade deadline, dealing Justin Anderson, Andrew Bogut and a protected draft pick Noel. It was widely considered to be a steal for the Mavericks, who acquired a young center that could be locked up long-term. Feb. 25: Noel makes debut
LM Otero/AP Dallas Mavericks forward Nerlens Noel (3) is congratulated by teammate Yogi Ferrell (11) after scoring during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in Dallas, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Noel made his debut at home in a 96-83 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Noel scored nine points and 10 rebounds and got a warm welcome from the American Airlines Center crowd. He didn't start, but head coach Rick Carlisle said that would come eventually. "I think it's a very fresh start that probably was needed," Noel said. "It was a tough few years in Philly. Going through that wasn't easy, but I'm ready to look back and say, 'Wow, I really feel proud for the way you handled yourself.' I'm really looking forward to what we have here. The opportunity is coming in the near future." It never did. April 12: Mavs' season ends, Noel's big offseason begins The Mavs ended last season with a victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Noel played in 22 games for the Mavericks and started 12, averaging 8.5 points and 6.8 rebounds. Noel was about to begin what he called the biggest offseason of his career as he entered restricted free agency, and it appeared he was a priority for the Mavericks. Carlisle even said "a guy that we've got to get signed." June 22: Mavs draft Dennis Smith Jr. The Mavs selected Dennis Smith Jr. with the No. 9 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Noel seemed pretty excited to be part of a young core featuring himself, Smith and Harrison Barnes. It's another example of how it seemed Noel genuinely wanted to be a Maverick long term.
LET'S GOO !! It's Lit @Dennis4Smith welcome to the family !! — Nerlens Noel (@NerlensNoel3) June 23, 2017
July 1: Free agency begins Noel officially becomes a restricted free agent. July 18: Noel's agent speaks out
More than two weeks into free agent and Noel didn't have an offer from the Mavericks or anyone else. Noel's agent, Happy Walters, expressed disappointment at the way negotiations were going with Dallas. "We're very disappointed with where things stand," Walters said. "Nerlens loves Dallas and spent June there working out, but we're still waiting on a serious offer."
This came after Noel was spotted with Rick Carlisle and Mark Cuban at a Mavs summer league game. Aug. 21: Noel fires agent, hires Rich Paul With still no long term deal from anyone, Noel fired Walters and replaced him with Rich Paul of Klutch Sports. Paul also represents LeBron James. Aug. 26: Qualifying offer to be signed News broke on Aug. 26 that Noel would sign the one-year qualifying offer worth $4.1 million with the Mavericks. The team officially announced the deal on Aug. 28. It was reported Noel turned down a four-year, $70 million dollar deal at the start of free agency. Walters confirmed that via Twitter.
Noel's decision drew criticism from other players around the league. Sources told SportsDay's Brad Townsend that Walters advised Noel to accept Dallas' offer, but Noel wouldn't budge in his belief that his worth is closer to the max four-year offer of $106 million. Noel's mother, Dorcina, told Townsend that Noel was asking the Mavs for $22 million a year, but would've settled for $20 million.
"He told me, 'If Dallas gives me $20 million, I'm going to be there because they love me there. I said, 'Yeah, I love it there, too.'"
Sept. 25: Carlisle says Noel likely to come off the bench
Tony Gutierrez/AP Dallas Mavericks' Nerlens Noel, left, talks with head coach Rick Carlisle, right, as he leaves the court in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Carlisle told reporters that Noel would likely start the season coming off the bench while Dirk Nowitzki would start at center. "He's not the kind of person that's going to be that way," Carlisle said of any chance of grudge-holding. "Has he gone through a difficult summer? Yes. But we've talked about it and continue to talk about it. And going forward, we have a plan in place for him to have a great year and be a part of what we hope is a winning season. "We love him. My hope is he's here for many, many years to come. Sometimes, market dynamics are unpredictable. Here we are. I see him having a great year." When asked if he wanted to be in Dallas long-term, Noel hesitated. "Umm," he started off. "I love the city of Dallas. I do. But we all know what goes on in this business. As things shape out, it'll be handled."
Oct. 19: Noel records double-double in season opener
Smiley N. Pool/Staff Photographer Dallas Mavericks forward Nerlens Noel (3) grabs a rebound in front of Atlanta Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at American Airlines Center on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Dallas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News)
Noel scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in less than 20 minutes in the Mavs' season-opening loss to the Hawks. Nov. 11: DNP in loss to Cavaliers The Mavericks lost to the Cavaliers 111-104 at home. Noel did not play, despite having no injuries to speak of. Carlisle attributed the move to match ups, but said "minutes have to be earned." He also said Noel was not on a short leash. "There's no doghouse here," Carlisle said. "There just isn't. It's pretty simple. You compete and if you earn minutes, you get minutes. You got to compete. And our guys have to have an edge. No one's given anything. That's how we have to do things. The situation is we have a lot of tough opponents, record's not good right now. Competing is what it's all about." Nov. 12: Garbage time minutes A day after being benched against the Cavs, Noel played two minutes of garbage time during a 112-99 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Noel took the high road when asked about it by SportsDay's Eddie Sefko. "I wouldn't say it's insulting," said Noel. "I just have to look out for my body and make sure I'm ready to go after sitting the whole game. It's just about me being ready at all times. I just want to be smart about it."
Dec. 2: Hot dog gate
Smiley N. Pool/TNS Dallas Mavericks guard Devin Harris (left), center Nerlens Noel (center) and guard J.J. Barea (right) watch from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets at American Airlines Center on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, in Dallas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS)
The Mavs beat the Clippers 108-82 but the headlines revolved around Noel. He walked into the media dining room during halftime of the game to get a hot dog. Noel recorded his fourth straight DNP-CD in the game. "I'm doing everything I need to, staying in shape, continuing to work on my game and working on the little things," Noel said after the game. "It's frustrating at times. But I think I got laser focus right now for what I want to do and where I want to be. I'm anxious to play. When that comes, it comes." But Noel said he has no idea on if that opportunity will come in Dallas. Dec. 6: Thumb surgery It was announced Noel would have surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb and be out four to six weeks. Noel sustained the injury early in the season, but couldn't pinpoint exactly when. "It's not anything crazy," Noel said. "It's a pretty common injury for a basketball player. I'm just going to get it taken care of. I showed it to the trainers and they said, that it's not right. They said I should probably get some surgery and get it fixed up now. The Mavericks hope Noel can return before the trade deadline.