Nerlens Noel, Agent 'Very Disappointed' with Mavericks Contract Negotiations

Nerlens Noel remains a free agent, and his agent, Happy Walters, said he and the veteran center are "very disappointed with where things stand" with the Dallas Mavericks. 

"Nerlens loves Dallas and spent June there working out, but we're still waiting on a serious offer," Walters said, per the Dallas Morning News' Eddie Sefko.

Noel's situation isn't all that different from what happened to Tristan Thompson in the summer of 2015.

Thompson ultimately received a five-year, $82 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the two sides didn't agree until five days before the start of the 2015-16 regular season.

Noel's lack of a new deal isn't an indictment of his talent or performance. He averaged 8.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks a game between his time with the Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers. The 23-year-old was particularly good following his February trade to Dallas, after which he averaged 14.0 points, 11.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per 36 minutes, according to Basketball-Reference.com.

Restricted free agency is one of the biggest road blocks preventing Noel from receiving a lucrative contract. There's less incentive for another team to give Noel an offer sheet when the odds of the Mavs matching it are very strong.

In addition, most of the league has already spent their available salary cap space, limiting Noel's options even further.

Depending on his resolve, it wouldn't be surprising if Noel waited until the last minute to sign a new deal with Dallas, whether it's a long-term extension or a one-year qualifying offer that allows him to test free agency again next summer.