Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

OKC Thunder offseason report card – Grading every Sam Presti move

By Lawrence George

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 9: Paul George #13 of the OKC Thunder looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on November 9, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bart YoungNBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 9: Paul George #13 of the OKC Thunder looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on November 9, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bart YoungNBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder Center Nerlens Noel
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 2: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks stretches before the game against the Chicago Bulls on March 2, 2018 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.  Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Nerlens Noel – Two years, $3.75 million

Deal Structure:

2018-19 – $1,757,429
2019-20 – $1,988,119 (Player Option)

Filled with untapped potential, Nerlens Noel elected to join Oklahoma City presumably to rehab his image. The former Kentucky star is known more for his off-court indiscretions than his play on it. Between a civil rental suit in Philadelphia in 2016 to his weird half-time hot dog walk in Dallas, Noel’s time in the NBA has been interesting.

His reasoning behind the hot dog walk is solid.

All jokes aside, Oklahoma City badly needed a center to back-up Steven Adams. The OKC Thunder simply played the big kiwi too many minutes and at times, he was gassed in the playoff series against the Utah Jazz.

Dealing with Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert is a tall task, even for the man mountain Adams. Noel offers a means of giving Adams a rest. Although a different type of center, Noel brings athleticism and serious shot blocking ability.

His game mirrors that of Houston Rockets big man Clint Capela, a strong rim runner rolling to the hoop adept at catching lobs and dunking on defenders. With OKC’s desire to run, Noel is a perfect piece to play that game style.

Noel didn’t play alot last season after falling out of the rotation. Here is what he brings to Oklahoma City.

This is one of the more underrated signings of free agency. When Noel was acquired by Dallas, he immediately improved their defense, posting a positive +1.3 net rating in 22 minutes per game. He averaged 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks, causing Mavs owner Mark Cuban to open his wallet.  Noel was offered a four year, $70 million contract which he infamously rejected.

A franchise like Dallas doesn’t simply throw money at players without talent. Management believed in Noel’s potential and were willing to offer big money to keep him. Now with OKC on a two year, $3.75 million contract, both Oklahoma City and Noel have an opportunity to maximize each others talents. If Cuban was willing to offer big money, the big man clearly has skills.

This is a steal of talent for the price tag OKC signed him for. If Noel can stay out of trouble, this could be a huge win in the making.

Grade: B+

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