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The Brooklyn Nets have a handful of very clearly outlined wants that Sean Marks and the entrance workplace want to handle this offseason, however they don’t have a ton of economic wiggle room. They should search for low-cost choices that may fill outlined roles and improve the defense, and Nerlens Noel looks as if an ideal intersection of high quality, want, and affordability.
Noel spent final season in Manhattan with the rival New York Knicks.
Whereas he didn’t contribute a ton on the offensive facet of the ball, his efficiency after Mitchell Robinson went down with an harm cemented his standing as the most effective defensive facilities within the recreation.
Ian Begley is reporting that the Nets are certainly one of a number of groups which are anticipated to have a level of curiosity in Noel, because the Mavericks, Raptors, and Hornets may even make a play for him. The Nets have an enormous open wound on the heart spot, and Noel might go a really great distance in the direction of fixing it.
The Nets don’t have to signal prime Shaq to play heart.
They only want somebody who can rebound, block pictures, and end off straightforward pictures within the paint. Noel, a former No. 1 recruit and No. 6 total choose, has the flexibility to make that occur.
Nerlens Noel could be excellent for the Brooklyn Nets.
After Robinson went down in March, Noel averaged 5.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game. He was the one participant within the league who averaged one steal and two blocks per recreation this season, which proves his defensive versatility and high quality.
Noel isn’t an ideal defensive stopper, nevertheless. Cleaning the Glass (subscription required) exhibits that the Knicks truly allowed 3.7 factors extra per 100 possessions when Noel was on the ground final yr. Even with that, his particular person high quality stood out on a crunching Knicks protection, and the Nets ought to attempt to pry him away.
The Nets tried in useless to interchange the rim safety that Jarrett Allen was capable of present, as their beginning heart title was handed between a defensive legal responsibility in Blake Griffin, an entire legal responsibility in DeAndre Jordan, and LaMarcus Aldrige, who lasted only a handful of video games earlier than he was pressured to retire.
The scoring supplied by Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden will assist Brooklyn win a very good chunk of their video games, however they will’t get them to the Finals on their very own. Noel will no less than have the ability to safe rebounds and swat away pictures, which is one thing that the Nets actually struggled with final season.
Nerlens Noel and Nicolas Claxton is an ideal 1-2 punch.
The concept of Noel pairing with Claxton might make Brooklyn’s backcourt one of many higher defensive interiors. Good luck making an attempt to play with any semblance of tempo, as two long-armed bigs switching every part might make life robust on opposing groups.
The Nets is perhaps tempted to as soon as once more go for offense over protection, as their additions of Griffin and Aldridge final yr and their rumored curiosity in Kevin Love if he’s purchased out means that they might fill that position with a veteran looking to chase a ring. That’s a fruitful path to pursue, however not on the expense of a defender like Noel.
Marks must eye Noel on a short-term deal. Noel will get a job as a possible starter with a group that may assuredly be among the many favorites to take dwelling the title subsequent yr, and Brooklyn lastly can apply a Band-Help to their most noticeable flaw.
They should act quick in the event that they need to maintain him in New York, as a number of groups seeking to unseat the Nets will make an effort to signal him.
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