Sam Hinkie has nothing to show for the last three years of losing. It's not worth keeping Noel around.
This rebuild has always been about superstars. Superstars win championships. Kobe. Jordan. Magic. All are superstars who made their teammates, dominated their opposition, and came through when it mattered. They are winners.
Hinkie has always been very clear that his objective is to attain superstars, and that he will only move to improve the team once those stars are in place. He claims this should be apparent to everyone. When a reporter has the temerity to wonder how he'll know whether or not that superstar is on the roster, Hinkie responds that, "We'll all know," as if it is entirely self-evident.