The New Orleans Pelicans Should Go Hard After Nerlens Noel

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14: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up against the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Pelicans: Free Agent Nerlens Noel

Let’s start by saying that Noel is not ever going to shoot three-pointers, so fans obsessed with pairing Zion with a “stretch-five” should know that Noel will never be that.

He is the type of player who won’t shoot unless he is right under the rim, will never post up, shoot a jumper or do anything but grab the ball and dunk.

Noel shoots 68.9 percent from the field because he is always within a few feet of the hoop.

If the New Orleans Pelicans pursue Noel, it won’t be because of his offense.

Noel’s strengths are all on the defensive end, where he is one of the most efficient defensive players in the NBA.

In just 18.4 minutes per game, Noel averaged 1.5 blocks and one steal, numbers that put him in line with some of the better defenders in the NBA, especially when you extrapolate them over 36 minutes.

Noel’s Per-36 numbers would make him a borderline All-Star, as he gets 15.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, two steals and 2.9 blocks per 36 minutes.

Noel is never going to play 36 minutes, as his offensive limitations and propensity for getting into foul trouble will prevent him from being on the floor that long.

The Pelicans are 12th in overall blocked shots, but it is not translating to stopping teams in the paint and opponents are still getting plenty of second chance points.

In other words, a couple of highlight reel blocks do not make up for the fact that the Pelicans are getting smoked in the post.

Noel can block shots and protect the rim, but would he fit on the New Orleans Pelicans?