Nerlens Noel

[Vae Victus]

Even if Noel is obatinable for the tax payer MLE (~8m), we dont have it after we spend up to the cap. We only has the non tax payer MLE (4.3m) which most likely isnt gonna get it done.

[JohnVancouver]

I've got serious doubts about Zu. A seven=footer who gets blocked like that ... guy's feet are nailed to the floor

Pau Gasol says hi!

You see signs of Pau-ness in him?

[what would jack bauer do?]

I like him as another "bust" the Lakers picked up and turned into a rotation guy story. But signing him for anything more than the minimum or an exception would be like repeating the sins of the Deng/Moz signings.

[Spanish_Laker]

That guy is trash.

[LeCalinou]

https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2018/3/13/17112352/nerlens-noel-has-skills-but-no-margin-for-error-rick-carlisle-dallas-mavericks-restricted-free-agent

I'd rather Nerlens than DMC, honestly. He won't be the same when he comes back. Nobody has been after Achilles surgery

A player like Nerlens Noel depends on other team-mates to get him involved in the offense and get buckets. I'm a fan of his, he seems like a good kid and a hard-worker, having survived that Year 1 injury and being in such an environment as Philadelphia.
I hoped he would perfom well in Dallas, maybe a good complement to Dirk Nowitzki. But what a strange situation. Carslile seem to be over-dominant, and it didn't click within that context.

Maybe it is an opportunity to sign him to a cheap contract, because the Lakers do have a requisite for him to function as P'n'R Center on offense: Lonzo Ball. You probably couldn't play Noel with Randle, because he's not yet a shooter, but playing with Kuzma at Power Forward would give the Lakers a solid tandem.

[evilpimp972]

So if we get Noel we will on Randle? No thanks. Dude cant stay healthy btw.

[Spens1]

Noel's the type of player you can get for the Tyreke Evans MLE. Two superstars, resigned Randle and Noel would be an A+ off season.

MLE is around $8.2M, which is what I'd pay for Noel if we were to wash our hands off the development time we afforded to Zubac and Bryant. He'd be a nice defensive big off the bench.

Personally I'd much rather bring back Lopez. Randle isn't going to get the same freedom in the paint with Noel being utterly useless on offense.

if Lopez goes we could keep both Bryant and Zubac in theory (though Bryant should be getting sent down to the d-league next season anyway).

[AGAVE]

So I looked at this
Both Zu & TB come off the books after next season.
NN contact done after this season.
Is NN an unrestricted free agent?
His age certainly fits what we are doing.

I think that its safe to say that Randle should be staying here.

What trade scenario do you see ZU & TB going in....if we acquire NN?

And then BL.
I would like to see him get a one or two year deal to stay.

[danfantastk32]

Oh yeah, if we get our two max guys (Lebron and pg13) then at centre, Noel would be terrific cause Lopez ain't taking the mle

Don't be so sure. Lopez is in an odd place. He's about to turn 30, and is coming off his worst statistical year by far (I think he had a year where he played 5 games...but whatever. Go look at his career, and you'll get my point). There aren't alot of teams missing a that one piece who can offer much $$. I'm not sure too many rebuilding teams are gonna want to fool around with a 30-year old center. Certainly not for real $$.

Lopez's best bet was when we offered to waive him....and let him go try and join the Warriors, or Houston, or Cavs. We pay him, and anything he gets from them is gravy.

His answer? No thanks. I will stay here and fight for my spot. I wanna be a Laker.

The new CBA is murder on the "middle class" of the NBA. There was that waive of guys who got dumb-$$ contracts that first year or 2. But that's all over now. Notice Lou Williams signed a 3-year $8mil per contract?

Lopez clearly WANTS to be here. Thats a start. His options are gonna be damn limited. You bring Lebron and PG....and I bet he signs up for $8. Especially if you give him a player option. <------that scenario seems more likely to me than him getting some 3-year $40+ contract.

[milesfides]

The problem is Lopez's defense has been average for his entire career. He doesn't rebound, and he's not mobile enough for the modern game. In other words, against many teams, he's a liability. He can't play faster, he can't get on the court - which is why his numbers have steadily decreased.

The partnership with Julius Randle should make sense on paper, but Randle has been taking over at center more often than not (56%).

The more logical pairing would be Randle and Kuzma. Kuzma is the guy actually replacing Brook Lopez, who never made sense as a slow, big, 3-point shooter.

The problem though, is that Randle is an average defender and Kuzma is an average/poor one (as is Brandon Ingram, despite perceptions).

That's why the real problem is trying to make a dollar out of fifteen cents. We just don't have a great defender in the frontcourt.

The problem is, most of them are untouchable, maxed out, severe limitations, etc. Noel does have some risks, sure. But the benefits are definitely there, because no matter how much anybody likes Julius Randle or Brook Lopez, neither of them will ever be the 2-steals, 2-blocks, double digit rebounding, athletic pogo stick who has posted good-to-elite defensive numbers since he came into this league (basketball-reference).

I'd always want to risk a little and win it all than stay safe and take second - no, more like twentieth - place, again and again.

[Penberthy]

I've got serious doubts about Zu. A seven=footer who gets blocked like that ... guy's feet are nailed to the floor

Pau Gasol says hi!

You see signs of Pau-ness in him?

Pau was a 7-footer that got blocked at times and appeared to have his feet nailed to the floor.

He became an allstar by using his intelligence, positioning, timing on D, honing his post game, keeping the ball high, hooks, baby hooks, sky hooks, baby jumpers, mid range, and a natural ability to pass. Zu is developing/has the ability to develop all of those except perhaps the natural ability to pass like Pau.

Zubac is still younger than Pau was when he played his first NBA game.

Rookie year, Per 36:
Pau 17.3pts 2.7asst 8.7reb 2blk .5stl 51.8fg%
Zu 16.8pts 1.8asst 9.4reb 2blk .8stl 52.9fg%

[baldur]

Pau was incomparably better prospect than zubac at the time. With all due respect, this comparison is ridiculous. Gasol's basketball fundamentals are not so common.

[Penberthy]

Pau was incomparably better prospect than zubac at the time. With all due respect, this comparison is ridiculous. Gasol's basketball fundamentals are not so common.

You're right, he's more like Marc at this age.

[snaquille oatmeal]

The question is, why were Magelinka targeting Noel? It was mentioned that we had interest. Why? It ultimately does not matter what we think. But the guys pulling the trigger, had or have interest in this guy's services. Magelinka have made several good moves that most of us approve of. So their judgment has passed the test in many Laker fans minds.. So is this move towards Noel another? Or was it a mistake to consider it? What is it about him that they are looking at, that we need? Just 2 Cents.

never liked that, I would rather go with MagRob

[milesfides]

Pau's career defensive ratings have been good. Sometimes elite, as it has been when Memphis was a 50-win team, when the Lakers were contenders, and the last few seasons with the 50-win Bulls and now Pop's Spurs. He's not a guy who can single-handedly dominate a game defensively like Gobert, but in the right system and teammates, yes, he can be elite (high bball IQ, length, timing). In the wrong situation, he can be exposed (not as strong and athletic).