Kings sign Nerlens Noel

The Sacramento Kings yesterday signed center Nerlens Noel.

A 10-year veteran, Noel has posted averages of 7.1 points (54.6 FG%), 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game in 467 career games (223 starts). Among active players, he ranks ninth in blocks per contest and has been in the Top 20 among annual blocks leaders four times, including most recently ranking third (2.2) during the 2020-21 season.

Originally selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft out of Kentucky, Noel received All-Rookie First Team honors after averaging 9.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.9 blocks per game in 75 games (71 starts) for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Nets sign Nerlens Noel to 10-day contract

The Brooklyn Nets have signed center Nerlens Noel to a 10-day contract.

Noel (6’11”, 220) began the 2022-23 season with the Detroit Pistons, where he played in 14 games (three starts) and posted averages of 2.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in 10.8 minutes per game. The nine-year NBA veteran has made previous stops in Philadelphia, Dallas, Oklahoma City and New York. In 464 career games (222 starts), Noel holds career averages of 7.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks in 22.1 minutes per contest while shooting 54.7 percent from the field. The 28-year-old has also appeared in 17 playoff games (two starts) across three career postseason appearances, recording averages of 4.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game.

A Massachusetts native, Noel played one collegiate season (2012-13) at the University of Kentucky, where he was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, SEC Freshman of the Year, First Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive. He was drafted sixth overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans and later traded to Philadelphia, where he earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 2015 as a member of the 76ers.

Trade sends Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel from Knicks to Pistons

The Detroit Pistons have acquired Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel, a 2023 second-round draft pick, originally belonging to Detroit, a 2026 second-round draft pick, via Minnesota or New York, dependent on draft position, and cash considerations in a trade with the New York Knicks for the draft rights to Nikola Radicevic and a protected second-round pick in 2025.

Burks, 6-6, 214, recorded clips of 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 28.6 minutes through 81 games (44 starts) with the Knicks in 2021-22. He scored at least 20 points in nine contests, including a season-best 34 points against the Pistons on Dec. 29, 2021. Burks had 43 games with multiple 3-pointers and made at least four triples 14 times a year ago.

The Grandview, Mo. native has 11 years of NBA experience after he was drafted 12th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2011 NBA Draft. Burks has suited up for the Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Knicks with career marks of 10.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.7 steals in 625 NBA games (135 starts).

A former standout at Colorado, Burks played two seasons collegiately for the Buffaloes while garnering Big 12 Rookie of the Year honors and All-Big 12 First Team honors as a sophomore.

Noel, 6-11, 220, tallied 3.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks in 22.5 minutes over 25 games (11 starts) with the Knicks last season. He pulled down double-digit rebounds twice and had multiple blocks in nine games in 2021-22. Noel spent two seasons with New York, appearing in 89 games (52 starts) since 2020-21.

The former sixth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Noel has played eight seasons in the league for the Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder and Knicks. He was named to the 2014-15 All-Rookie First Team and has ranked in the top-15 in the NBA in steals twice and blocks three times, including ranking third (2.2 bpg) in 2020-21.

Hailing from Malden, Mass., Noel played collegiately for the Kentucky Wildcats in 2012-13. He was named to the All-SEC First Team and was selected to the SEC All-Defense and SEC All-Freshman teams. Noel also earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year and SEC Rookie of the Year in his lone season with the Wildcats.

Radicevic, 6-6, 200, was acquired by Detroit via trade from the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 22, 2020. He was drafted 57th overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Knicks re-sign center Nerlens Noel

The New York Knicks have re-signed center Nerlens Noel.

Noel, 6-10, 220-pounds, averaged 5.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.20 blocks and 1.09 steals over 24.2 minutes in 64 games (41 starts) for New York last season. He ranked third in the NBA in blocks per game and was the only player in the NBA to average at least two blocks and one steal. He was signed by New York as a free agent on November 25, 2010.

Originally selected by New Orleans with the sixth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Noel holds career averages of 7.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.51 blocks and 1.28 steals over 425 games (208 starts) with New York, Oklahoma City, Dallas and Philadelphia. As a rookie with Philadelphia, the Malden, MA-native earned All-Rookie First Team honors after averaging 9.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.77 steals and 1.89 blocks over 30.8 minutes in 75 games (71 starts).

He spent one season at the University of Kentucky, averaging 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 4.42 blocks and 2.08 steals over 31.9 minutes in 24 games (24 starts). He earned 2013 SEC Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors and led the SEC conference in total blocks with 106 en route to being named All-SEC first team.

Early look at Knicks center rotation of Mitchell Robinson and Nerlens Noel

The Knicks have a talented young center prospect in Mitchell Robinson, and a new-addition journeyman veteran center in Nerlens Noel. In the team’s first preseason game, a win over the Pistons, Noel started, though his time on the court was just three minutes more than Mitchell’s. Here’s the New York Daily News with an early preseason look at it:

There’s redundancy with the Knicks two centers and Mitchell Robinson noticed it when his team signed Nerlens Noel.

“It was just like, ‘Oh well, I mean, now we’ve got like two players who do the same thing,” Robinson said. “Got to live with it, keep working.”

Despite the hype over Robinson and the expectation of a big leap in Year 3, the 22-year-old was again a reserve in the preseason opener Thursday. Noel, 26, started and was highly effective, scoring 10 points with eight boards on 5-of-7 shooting in 25 minutes.

Robinson had just two points and four fouls in 22 minutes, but also collected four steals and two blocks. He denied that his pregame “No loyalty” Instagram post was about being benched.

And the New York Post:

After all, the center tag team duo of Noel-Robinson was a gem defensively in Friday’s preseason-opening 90-84 victory with the tall duo combining for 15 rebounds and four blocks. Robinson also had four steals.

“It is what it is,” Robinson said Sunday after the Knicks’ morning shootaround in Detroit. “I’m going to go out there and play hard. I really don’t mind starting or don’t mind not starting. I don’t have hurt feelings. I’m just going to go out there and just be the best me.”

When pressed on how much he cares about it, Robinson stated, “Not really. As long as I can go out there and help my teammates I really don’t care if I start or not. It’s early. I’m not going to sit down and pout about it. I’m not going to make a problem or whatever. As long as I get to play, I’m fine with that.”

Knicks sign Nerlens Noel, who played for Thunder last season

The New York Knicks yesterday signed forward/center Nerlens Noel.

Per multiple reports, Noel’s Knicks contract is a one-year, $5 million deal.

With Mitchell Robinson the team’s young prime talent at the center spot, Noel will likely play backup.

Listed at 6-foot-10, 220 pounds), Noel averaged 7.4 points on 68.4-percent shooting, 4.9 rebounds and 1.49 blocks over 18.5 minutes in 61 games (seven starts) for the Oklahoma City Thunder last season. He was one of three players in the NBA to appear in at least 50 games and record a field goal percentage of 68-percent or greater and average at least 1.49 blocks (Rudy Gobert and Mitchell Robinson (via Elias)).

Noel also became the first player in NBA history to shoot at least 68-percent from the field and at least 75-percent from the free-throw line (minimum 25 games; Elias). Originally selected by New Orleans with the sixth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Noel holds career averages of 8.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.39 blocks and 1.31 steals over 361 games (167 starts) with Oklahoma City, Dallas and Philadelphia. As a rookie with Philadelphia, the Malden, MA-native earned All-Rookie First Team honors after averaging 9.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.77 steals and 1.89 blocks over 30.8 minutes in 75 games (71 starts).

Noel spent one season at the University of Kentucky, averaging 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 4.42 blocks and 2.08 steals over 31.9 minutes in 24 games.

Knicks and Nerlens Noel agree to a contract

The Knicks haven’t added stars this free agency, but they’ve been filling out their supporting cast. Via the New York Post:

Nerlens Noel agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal to join the Knicks, ESPN reported, providing depth at center behind Mitchell Robinson.

The 6-foot-10 Noel, the No. 6 overall pick by the 76ers in 2013, spent last season with the Thunder, averaging 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while offering a defensive presence.

Thunder sign Nerlens Noel

Nerlens Noel is still trying to establish himself in the NBA and live up to his potential. The The Oklahoma City Thunder are giving him a chance to do this, and signed the forward/center today.

According to the Oklahoman, “it’s a two-year deal — the second year is a player option — expected to be at the veteran minimum, which would pay Noel about $1.7 million next season. It’s a surprisingly low price for a 6-foot-11 former lottery pick who last season turned down a reported four-year, $70 million deal with the Mavericks, and that makes the appeal obvious.”

Noel (6-11, 220) has appeared in 223 career games (158 starts), averaging 9.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.56 steals and 1.41 blocks in 26.0 minutes per game while shooting 51.2 percent (847-1654) from the field with Philadelphia and Dallas. The Malden, Mass. native is one of two players in the league to average 1.5+ steals and 1.4+ blocks over the last four seasons (DeMarcus Cousins).

“We are excited to bring Nerlens to the Thunder,” said Presti. “In addition to being a multi-faceted defender‎, he moves the ball at a high level for a player at his position, which complements our existing core.”

The Kentucky product was originally selected sixth overall by New Orleans in the 2013 NBA Draft and was later named to the All-Rookie First Team.

In one year as a Wildcat, the 2013 SEC Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year started in all 24 games he appeared in and averaged 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 4.42 blocks and 2.08 steals in 31.9 minutes per contest. Noel led the conference in total blocks with 106 on the season en route to being named to the All-SEC First Team.

Mavericks re-sign Nerlens Noel

The Dallas Mavericks have re-signed center Nerlens Noel.

According to the Dallas Morning News, “restricted free agent center Nerlens Noel has ended a summer-long negotiations stalemate by signing a one-year qualifying offer of $4.1 million to return to Dallas for the 2017-18 season.”

Noel (6-11, 220), who was acquired by the Mavericks from the Philadelphia 76ers in a trade-deadline deal on Feb. 23, averaged 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.1 blocks and 21.9 minutes in 22 games (12 starts) with Dallas last year.

More from the Dallas Morning News: “The Mavericks source confirmed an earlier report by ESPN’s Chris Hayes. Saturday’s news comes less than a week after Noel replaced agent Happy Walters with Klutch Sports’ Rich Paul, who also represents LeBron James. It’s also a bold and risky move by Noel, who could have signed a more lucrative long-term deal with the Mavericks or another franchise before the regular-season begins on Oct. 17.”

For the 2016-17 season, Noel posted averages of 8.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.3 steals, 1.0 block and 20.5 minutes in 51 games (19 starts) with Philadelphia and Dallas.

The three-year veteran out of Kentucky holds career averages of 10.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.5 blocks and 27.6 minutes in 193 games (152 starts) with the Sixers and the Mavericks. He has shot 51.1 percent from the floor for his career.

A native of Malden, Mass., Noel was originally selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the sixth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. His rights were later traded to Philadelphia along with a future first-round pick in exchange for Jrue Holiday and Pierre Jackson.

As a rookie in 2014-15, Noel averaged 9.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.9 blocks and 30.8 minutes per game in 75 games (71 starts) while garnering NBA All-Rookie First Team honors.

In his lone season at Kentucky (2012-13), Noel averaged 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 2.1 steals, 4.4 blocks and 31.9 minutes en route to earning First Team All-SEC, SEC Defensive Player of the Year and SEC Rookie of the Year honors. On Jan. 29, 2013, Noel set the UK single-game record with 12 blocked shots in a victory over No. 16 Ole Miss.

Noel suffered a torn ACL in a game against the Florida Gators on Feb. 12, 2013, ending his 2012-13 season. Despite the injury, Noel declared for the 2013 NBA Draft following his freshman year. He missed the entire 2013-14 NBA season recovering from knee surgery.

The 23-year-old was the top-rated player by both ESPNU recruiting and Scout.com coming out of high school and was rated the second-best prospect by Rivals.com

The Mavericks’ 2017-18 training camp roster is now set at 20 players.

Nerlens Noel a starter as Mavs beat Clippers

As the NBA regular season begins to wrap up, it’ll be fun keeping an eye on Nerlens Noel as he learns to fit in with the Mavericks. Here’s the Fort Worth Star-Telegram with the latest:

Nerlens Noel a starter as Mavs beat Clippers

For the second time since trading for Nerlens Noel on Feb. 23, the Dallas Mavericks used a starting lineup that included the 6-11 center.

And for the second time, the Mavs won that game with Noel starting in the middle and creating all sorts of havoc for the opponent.

With Noel starting, Dirk Nowitzki was pushed from playing center to his customary power forward spot, and Harrison Barnes shifted from power forward to his customary small forward position.

The new strategy also moved Wesley Matthews from small forward to his customary shooting guard spot, while Seth Curry shifted from shooting guard to point guard, and Yogi Ferrell was relegated to coming off the bench.

All of the moves paid off handsomely as the Mavs did what they needed to do to hang on and defeat the Los Angeles Clippers, 97-95, before a Thursday night sellout crowd of 19,703 at American Airlines Center.