The New Orleans Pelicans need to get bigger, especially in the second unit, which is why they should go hard after Nerlens Noel.
The New Orleans Pelicans get pushed around a lot and that needs to change.
One thing that stands out when watching the Pelicans is that they are often overmatched physically, especially the second unit, which doesn’t have any real bangers down low.
Derrick Favors is a free agent and Jaxson Hayes is not ready to take over full-time center duties, as he is just 19-years-old and lacks the “old man strength” necessary to bang with NBA centers.
Regardless of what happens with Favors, the Pelicans need to get bigger, find more rim protection and ways to defend the paint.
The Pelicans are 4th in overall scoring, but just 20th in defense, a gap that must be closed if the Pels want to join the elite of the Western Conference.
The Pelicans have been particularly bad at stopping teams in the paint, as they are just 28th in the league in points in the paint allowed, giving up a staggering 53 points per game down low.
Even though the Pelicans are a top-ten team in rebounds, they are still just 24th in second chance points allowed, illustrating their lack of rim protection.
Favors is a good defender, but not a great shot blocker. Zion Williamson is not a rim protector and often leaks out for fast breaks, especially if has has switched onto a perimeter player.
The Pels need someone who can anchor the defense in the second unit, a guy who can play 18-20 minutes a game, muscle the other teams’ bigs and help the Pelicans stop giving up the easy ones under the hoop.
That guy might just be Nerlens Noel.
Noel’s career has probably been a disappointment overall, as he was selected sixth by the Sixers and has never lived up to it, but he does a couple of things the Pelicans need and would be a great fit.
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?
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.