Nerlens Noel's role and fantasy value grow in barren Mavericks frontcourt
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Here are the fantasy implications following the news the Philadelphia 76ers have traded C Nerlens Noel to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for C Andrew Bogut and SG Justin Anderson:
Andrew Bogut and Justin Anderson and conditional first-round pick will be traded from Dallas to Philadelphia for Nerlens Noel, sources say
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 23, 2017
Still just 22 years old, Noel has seen his role decrease each of the past two seasons as part of a crowded 76ers frontcourt soon expected to inject rookie Ben Simmons. After starting 71 and 62 games as a rookie and sophomore, respectively, he has started just seven of the 29 games he has played this year. He has averaged 8.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 19.4 minutes, all career lows.
Noel will replace Bogut, who has started 21 games at center for the Mavericks this season. A defensive specialist, he averaged 8.3 rebounds and just 3.0 points in 22.4 minutes. Noel can be expected to take on a heavier minutes load where he could average close to 15 points, 10 rebounds and one block per game. His per-36 minutes averages are 16.4 PPG, 9.2 RPG and 1.7 BPG, but he shouldn't be expected to take on this large of a workload.
C Salah Mejri and PF Dwight Powell are the only other big men of note in Dallas, beyond PF Dirk Nowitzki. Those two will likely continue to serve as complementary pieces, as they did with Bogut. Mejri could see a drop in minutes as Noel takes on a larger role than Bogut, but he was never more than an occasional daily fantasy option for his 11 starts.
Anderson played 51 games but started just twice in his sophomore season with the Mavericks. He was a rather inefficient shooter, posting a slashline of .402/.303/.795 and averaging just 6.5 points and 2.9 rebounds over 13.9 minutes. He's unlikely to challenge 76ers SG Gerald Henderson for starts, keeping him in a likely bench role.
Daily fantasy situation will improve, but not yet
Noel should be a reasonable bargain for the next week or two as he grows into a significantly larger role. His role and statistics in Philadelphia have kept him near the minimum salary up to this point, and it will take some time for pricing to adjust to improved production and higher ownership.
The Mavericks have some difficult frontcourt matchups in the immediate future as their next three games come against the Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans and Miami Heat. These poor matchups will also help to keep Noel reasonably priced.
Expore season-long trades immediately
Due to the trade and expected increase in playing time, Noel's perception in fantasy leagues dramatically improves with the trade. The Mavericks' difficult upcoming stretch may make it the best time to move him. Look to make a trade in order to obtain some immediate help in your quest to make the fantasy playoffs, which begin in just two weeks.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)