Nerlens Noel agrees to sign $4.1 million qualifying offer from Mavericks

Center Nerlens Noel has agreed to sign the $4.1 million qualifying offer from the Dallas Mavericks, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports.

The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the deal is official.

Noel, who will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, got caught in a numbers game this summer as money dried up and the need for a high-priced rim protector waned. But he was valuable on the court for Dallas after the Mavericks acquired him from the Philadelphia 76ers.

He averaged 8.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and one steal in 22 games for Dallas, which gets Noel on a team-friendly deal but just for one more season.

Noel declined a four-year, $70 million offer from the Mavs and asked for a larger amount. The Mavs’ offer was withdrawn shortly after Noel asked for more, according to ESPN.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt.