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Should the Bulls go after Nerlens Noel next summer?

By Luke Askew

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 4: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 4, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 4: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 4, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Dallas Mavericks big man Nerlens Noel is set to be a free agent next summer. Should the Bulls go after him?

Nerlens Noel recently agreed to sign a one-year, $4.1 million dollar deal with the Dallas Mavericks to remain in Dallas for the 2017-18 season. So, where does this leave him next summer?

Noel is currently 23 years old and heading into his fifth year in the NBA. Those five years have been riddled with injuries and a lack of solid minutes, resulting in a lot of question marks surrounding his game.

After missing the entire 2013-14 season due to recovery from knee surgery, Noel had an alright rookie season. He started in 71 of the 75 games he played in and averaged approximately 10 points and eight rebounds per game for the Philadelphia 76ers.

While those rookie numbers aren’t too bad, he never took that leap forward that many thought he was capable of. But he still has potential, and isn’t that exactly what the Bulls should be gambling on right now?

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After this season — maybe even before or during if a buyout takes place — Dwyane Wade will likely be out of Chicago. That means that going into the 2018-19 season, the highest-paid Bull will be Robin Lopez (if he isn’t traded before then) at roughly $14 million per season. After that, it jumps all the way down to Justin Holiday at roughly $4.5 million per season.

This means that the Bulls will have money to spend and lots of it.

Next summer, Noel will be still just 24 years old. I would expect him to have plenty of suitors willing to hand him a max contract with the Bulls being one of them. So, why not?

Sure, he has his fair share of injury concerns, he can’t shoot and a max contract might be a little more than he’s actually worth. But what do the Bulls have to lose?

If the Bulls sign him to a max contract that means he would likely be with the team from ages 24-29 and there is a ton of room for development in those years.

Noel is a high energy, rim-protecting, athletic big man that can bring some experience and defense to a Bulls team that won’t have much of either of those things.

A frontline consisting of Lauri Markkanen and Nerlens Noel would give opposing defenses a little bit of everything. Markkanen brings the shooting and playmaking, while Noel brings the defense and rebounding.

Next: Bulls acquire Quincy Pondexter from New Orleans Pelicans

The other thing they both bring is a ton of uncertainty. But maybe, just maybe, it would work out really well. And those are the risks that a team as bad as the Bulls needs to be taking.

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