National Basketball Association

Nerlens Noel Contract Year Equals Production

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:48 p.m. ET

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Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) ties his shoes in a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Nerlens Noel will be playing for his contract next year. Look for him to step up his production this season.

There are two things which are certainties in life: death and taxes. But in the world of professional basketball, there are other certainties as well. The least of which will never be the presumption that a player has his best production in the last year of his contract.

Whether it’s the focus, the “chip on the shoulder” effect, or simply the emotions that wage war internally as the future of a young many become uncertain, it seems to propel marginal players into a good category, good players into a very good category, and very good players into a great category.

So if falls to reason that regardless of the category you have personally assigned to Nerlens Noel in his three years under contract for the Philadelphia 76ers, this year will not only define his next contract offer, but the very fiber of the basketball player himself.

We know that this year will be incredibly different for Noel. His off-season approach to training changed this year. But his approach to the season will likely change as well. Once content to “do whatever the coach asks”, I anticipate a more pro-active approach this year.

Let’s be honest with ourselves. Despite some congeniality points for willingness to sit on the bench, the key to the next Noel payday is court time. That translates into playing hard, and using his minutes very effectively.

Apr 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Carl Landry (7) against the defense of New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham (44) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 107-93. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Landry Playing For Next Contract As Well

When veteran Carl Landry realized his playing time would be limited this season, he made his interest known to the Philadelphia 76ers that he would prefer being waived. The hope is to land on a team where he can put up more playing minutes in more game appearances.

Nerlens Noel is in the same situation.

But where Landry’s relationship with the 76ers was tepid, the team is much more protective over Noel. He entered the NBA after the team traded for his rights in 2013. Not only that, but Noel’s contract is only $4,384,490 this season. Conversely, Landry was slated to make $6,500,000 this season.

More from The Sixer Sense

While Carl Landry still has something to offer the NBA, Nerlens Noel is still a rising star. How high will his start rise? That’s where the debate’s vary.

Obviously, the performance perspective is completely different from the team’s side versus the player’s side. To Nerlens Noel, his view (and rightfully so) is that he deserves a shot to start on an NBA team. Start, not timeshare, nor be placed in a holding pattern.

But to the team, Noel’s value is relative. Is he more advantageous for the team than Jahlil Okafor? Is he more reliable than Joel Embiid? Can he compliment Ben Simmons better than either? The 76ers will be focused on ranking Noel in relation to Embiid and Okafor. But where is he better, and where is he lacking, in that comparison?

Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Ranking The 76ers Centers

Offense:

Offensively, the consensus remains that Nerlens Noel is the third of three Philadelphia 76ers centers. Keep in mind that this is “relative”. Nerlens Noel can pump shots, but his offensive game is not the type that will close out the win in a hotly contested game. His best nights of scoring were during games that were already quite decided. Still, he can get in a groove and if that happens, he can lead the team in scoring.

He put up 30 points against the Los Angeles Clippers in March 2015, using a varied arsenal of spins, jumpers, alley oops, and free throws. In the end, he did not help the team win, but he did hold up his end of the team.

Defense:

As much as Noel depends on the game situation and players around him to impact on offense, he is much more self determining on defense. His length and wing span are true weapons, as Noel can twist and roll to the ball and has an uncanny ability to place a hand at the optimal position to score the block or steal.

Noel dictates the team’s defensive culture. Despite the team’s struggles at other positions defensively, Noel has been such that he can improve the overall team by making up the difference at the basket.

Potential:

The potential of Nerlens Noel is the most difficult to locate. While the potential of Embiid is a “sky’s the limit”, the potential of Okafor is prolific scoring on a team that needs points.

Noel is neither.

But he can be effective enough for a championship team. Many of the NBA’s best teams have “that guy” on the roster, whether starting or on the bench, whose ability to protect the basket and to score a few points come in at or less than the ability of a Nerlens Noel. In fact, many of last season’s playoff teams may have enjoyed a better outcome if they had managed to wrest Noel from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Now, many NBA teams are playing the waiting game and hoping that the 76ers simply do not attempt to retain Noel next year. Will the Sixers follow that script? I’m not so certain.

Jan 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) reacts with head coach Brett Brown after his score during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Put Up or Shut Up

Much of the strategy will depend upon the production of Noel this year. If he can optimize his playing minutes, show sufficient offense and retain his reputation as an NBA defensive wonder, head coach Brett Brown will likely encourage the team to work at retaining the young man.

So the ultimate test is what will Nerlens Noel do with his final contract year? Can he earn enough time to turn the heads of other NBA teams? Can he earn a huge contract offer from the 76ers?

In 2016-2017, there will be little margin for error. There will be even less room for posturing. It will be a clear cut “put up or shut up” from both sides. Nerlens Noel had better play his heart out. If he does, the Sixers had better be ready to sign a significant check to retain Noel if he does.

In the end, it’s the familiar NBA story of a player in the last year of his contract. But this is just a little bit more. It’s the story of a team and a player at a cross roads of sorts. It’s the first true test of the process without the architect – former president Sam Hinkie. Finally, this will be a year where we are choosing which stars will shine most brightly over Philadelphia.

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