The Sacramento Kings added some frontcourt depth to their roster this week by signing veteran center Nerlens Noel to a one-year deal. Noel’s agents confirmed the agreement to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, saying that the deal is worth $3.1 million.
Noel split the 2022-23 season with the Detroit Pistons and the Brooklyn Nets. He played limited minutes with both teams, appearing in a total of 17 games and averaging 2.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.
While Noel has struggled in the past few seasons, he might prove valuable for the Kings as they look to build on a successful 2022-23 campaign. He will provide them with rim protection and outstanding defense in the center position, something that their top two centers, Domantas Sabonis and Alex Len, are lacking.
The Kings actually had an interest in Noel for quite some time. They reportedly considered signing him when he was a free agent in 2021 and were close to trading for him while he was with the Pistons.
Nerlens Noel entered the league in 2013 as the sixth overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers. He spent two and a half seasons in Philly before embarking on stints with the Dallas Mavericks, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the New York Knicks, the Pistons, and the Nets. Noel is averaging 7.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game in NBA.
