Nerlens Noel brings his winning Kentucky pedigree, his pride, his fleet feet and his enormous skill set to a Dallas Mavericks team that has righted the ship after a troubling start. Noel became the odd man out of the 76ers “process” with the emergence of Joel Embiid and the spectre of Ben Simmons someday taking the court. But before this year Noel was often the best and brightest player on the floor for the dreadful 76ers. He’s earned his way onto a winner, which Dallas — despite its present troubles — has long been. The Mavs have a winning culture and Noel can help right away.
Noel moves to Dallas shooting an eye-opening 61% from the field this year for the Sixers, getting 9 points per game in just 19.4 minutes. He also brings a good defensive reputation. It’s really hard to say what Noel can be, since most of his NBA time has been spent on a 76ers team that wasn’t trying to win. Dallas went 6-4 in their last ten before the All-Star break and they’re just 3 games back of Denver for the No. 8 spot and the playoffs — even if it’ll be against the Warriors.
