The New Orleans Pelicans Should Go Hard After Nerlens Noel

How Free Agent Nerlens Noel Fits on the New Orleans Pelicans

Noel is just 26-years-old, though it seems like he’s been in the league forever. He fits with the timeline of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, which is important, as these three are the foundation of the team.

For those who think Noel might take developmental minutes from Jaxson Hayes, consider this: Hayes will be better if he is competing for a spot. No one is handed anything in the NBA, and Noel’s 18-20 minutes won’t stop Hayes from getting his.

This is especially true if the Pelicans are unable or unwilling to re-sign Derrick Favors. Noel could be a cheap replacement that would allow the Pels to spend their cap space elsewhere.

That brings me to Noel’s salary. He is making the league minimum this season, just over $2 million. He will probably get a bigger deal this time around, but will still likely be within the Pelicans’ budget, especially if Favors’ $17 million comes off the books.

He could be a low cost option who provides efficient defense and doesn’t hamper the growth of Hayes.

Two of the Pelicans’ biggest weaknesses are second chance points and points allowed in the paint. Noel’s 47 percent defensive field goal percentage is one of the best for bench centers in the NBA, ahead of guys like Dwight Howard and Aron Baynes.

Noel was 9th overall for DFG percentage for backup centers who played at least 49 games this season. He allows just 53 percent on shots within six feet.

The Pelicans as a team have a 61.2 DFG percentage on shots within six feet, a big problem that leads to so many of their points in the paint.

With no one other than Favors and occasionally Hayes to protect the rim, the Pels are allowing way too many bunnies and Noel could help that.

He is a long defender who gets his hands in passing lanes, gets deflections, blocks and disrupts shots just by his presence alone.

In other words, he’s perfect to put next to a guy like Zion and just the type of defensive anchor the Pelicans need.

When free agency opens this fall, the Pelicans should put Nerlens Noel on their list and do what it takes to get him.