With the October 31st deadline for rookie-scale extensions just over a week away, several teams, players and agents are engaged in discussions in hopes of reaching an agreement soon.
Players such as Justise Winslow, Myles Turner, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker have already seen their 2017-2018 salaries guaranteed with their respective teams. One player who hasn’t, however, is the Sixers’ Nerlens Noel.
“It’s not really something that we’ve discussed, given some of the concerns that I think Nerlens has had, right now,” Brian Colangelo said (via Keith Pompey of philly.com. “There’s been very little if any discussion with his agents about any extension scenarios. But, I’ll just leave it at that.”
Noel has been at the center of various trade talks throughout the last year, with Philadelphia eager to send him away for back-court help. The rumors have irked him, to say the least.
With the Sixers having three promising young big men, those within the organization understand that a trade is bound to eventually happen — Including Nerlens Noel himself.
“I don’t see a way of it working,” Noel said last month (via Chuck Gormley of the Associated Press). It’s just a logjam.
“You’ve got three talented centers that can play 30-plus minutes a night and three centers can’t play 30 minutes a night. That’s that. Things need to be situated,” Noel said. “Obviously, somebody’s got to be moved around. It’s a tough situation, but I can only say so much because I have no say and no power.”
…
“Wait and see? I can’t say I do understand that,” Noel said. “I just don’t think it makes too much sense to come into the season with such a heavy lineup at the center position, I don’t know what there is to wait and see.”
Brian Colangelo and the 76ers heard Noel’s comments loud and clear, but made it known that they’re the ones with the leverage. The final decision, although both sides agree on what’s best, comes down to what the Sixers want to do.
“These are all young players not in a position to necessarily dictate circumstances other than through hard work and effort,” Colangelo said (via Derek Bodner of Philadelphia magazine).
For Nerlens Noel, the circulating rumors on social media, the insecurity of his job and the numerous looming questions still not answered cloud his mind every day.
The Sixers, according to a league source, have spoken with nearly every team in the league on a deal, most proposed packages being centered around Noel, over the past 12 months. With talks of an extension dead and their relationship now in turmoil, most expect Nerlens Noel and the 76ers to finally go their separate ways within the coming months.
But as Bryan Colangelo said, Noel must continue showing up to work every day, and must continue giving his all — Even for an organization that isn’t giving its all to him.
