Report: Mavericks have no plans to buy out Nerlens Noel

Despite their rocky relationship, the Dallas Mavericks have no intention of buying out Nerlens Noel, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times.

Instead, the Mavericks are hoping to find a role for Noel when he returns from injury after the All-Star break.

Noel was traded to the Mavericks last season after spending his first three-and-a-half seasons in Philadelphia. The Mavericks were hoping to retain the center long term, but the two sides couldn't come to a contractual agreement in the offseason.

Noel turned down a reported four-year, $70-million deal, expecting to receive a bigger contract before accepting a one-year, $4.1-million qualifying offer, which will allow him to become an unrestricted free agent this upcoming summer.

Noel has been out since Nov. 22 after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his his left thumb.