Pistons, Mavs Touch Base on Nerlens Noel Trade

Along with the Mavs, several other playoff contenders are showing interest in Noel, a veteran rim-protector, Begley added.

“Noel was a key force for New York’s defense in 2021, when the club made a surprise run to the playoffs,” Begley wrote.

Noel, 28, is 6-foot-11 and was acquired by the Pistons from the Knicks in a trade this past offseason. He has appeared in just six games.

Last year with the Knicks, he played just 25 games, making 2020-21 his last season of regular contribution. That year, he played 64 games, averaged 5.1 points and 6.4 rebounds, as well as a whopping 2.2 blocks.

He has also played for the Thunder and 76ers, as well as the Mavs once already, from 2016-18. Noel was originally drafted with the No. 6 overall pick in 2013.

The Mavs are said to be open to trading center JaVale McGee, who began the season as a starter but has since fallen out of the rotation.