Simple value question: Tyson Chandler or Nerlens Noel

[eagereyez]

Noel will be the better player in the future, and I'm not sure I agree with the people saying that Chandler is the better player now. Noel was dominating defensively last season when he played center. If a team is looking for a purely defensive center, there's little doubt to me that Noel is better right now.

[jpengland]

Noel is already better and a more versatile defender, he's a decade younger and his ceiling is the best defensive player in the game.

This isn't even close IMO.

The way people assess Noel is brutal. He's a phenomenal defensive player for his age and his offensive game has been stunted by playing with D League PGs, give him a competent PG and watch how he starts catching lobs, rolling to the hoop and generally being Chandleresque on that side of the ball.

[stitches]

I didn't even think this was a question. For most teams I'd rather have Nerlens and for the others it would be more a question of avoiding luxury tax next year than having the better asset.

[FutureKnicksGM]

Nerlens is better now and obviously in the future. I'm surprised this is a question.

Chandler fell of big time as a defensive presence in his last year in NY. And that was 3 years ago. I doubt he's somehow turned back the clock this season.

[BleedGreen1989]

By the way, I question whether a contender would actually prefer Chandler. When looking at defensive player tracking data, DRPM, and the team's defensive ratings when the player is on the court, the numbers come out in favor of Noel over the past two full seasons. Given normal aging curves, I would expect more defense from Noel than Chandler to certainly continue. That said, Chandler is a great rebounder so for teams desperate for that he does offer that.

Spoiler:

DFG% at rim
Noel in '16: 48.6%
Chandler in '16: 53.6%
Noel in '15: 44.9%
Chandler in '15: 50.8%

DFG% versus expected Less than 6 feet
Noel in '16: -7.8%
Chandler in '16: -1.8%
Noel in '15: -8.2%
Chandler in '15: -4.7%

DFG% versus expected Less than 10 feet
Noel in '16: -3.9%
Chandler in '16: -0.4%
Noel in '15: -5.4%
Chandler in '15: -5.1%

DRPM
Noel in '16: +2.29
Chandler in '16: +2.18
Noel in '15: +3.35
Chandler in '15: +3.54 (One category for Chandler)

Team's defense rating when on the floor:
Noel in '16: 105.6
Chandler in '16: 108.1
Noel in '15: 100.4
Chandler in '15: 102.1

Not to mention you'll have Noel for 12 MORE YEARS.

Like, literally. Have a baby today. Nerlens will match Tyson's age by the time your kid is getting ready to enter Junior High.

I have no idea how this is a conversation.