Thunder center Nerlens Noel won’t exercise his 2019/20 player option, league sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). According to Charania, Noel and the Thunder figure to discuss a potential reunion, but the big man is expected to draw interest from other suitors as well.
If Noel had opted in for ’19/20, he would’ve locked in a salary worth his minimum, $1,988,119, per Basketball Insiders. Instead, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent on Sunday.
After signing a minimum-salary deal with Oklahoma City last summer, Noel enjoyed a solid season as Steven Adams‘ backup, averaging 4.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 1.2 BPG in 77 games (13.7 MPG). The 25-year-old may not reach the ceiling that some experts anticipated when he was selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2013 draft, but his versatility and athleticism should appeal to some teams seeking frontcourt depth.
Assuming Noel signs elsewhere, the Thunder will have limited resources to replace him. OKC’s current commitments for 2019/20 already put team salary well above the projected tax threshold.
Now that we know which direction Noel is going, we’re just waiting for one last player-option decision, as our tracker shows. Nene‘s decision on a $3.8MM player option with the Rockets is the only one that has yet to be reported.
I want him on the wolves if they can move Dieng
back to philly
Sacramento to replace WCS?
Still can’t believe he turned down the Mavs offer a couple years ago. One of the worst decisions of all time.
From a player’s perspective, yes. Although from a team perspective, if he accepted the deal, it would be considered one of the worst in the NBA right now.
This is why you don’t really need to bet on yourself in this situation. The downside for losing that bet is far greater than the upside of winning it.
hmmm AD needs a cheap backup….Who’s Noel’s agent? Rich Paul you say? hmmm…HMMMM bet its the Lakers
Noel is young and an injury risk. I’m sure money and security will top signing with the Lakers for minimum.
he missed out on $80m from the Mavs. So he has a lot of work to make that up hahahah
Only if we lose McGee, which isn’t likely
Loved Javales game last year
Backup center with injury risk isn’t getting money and security
more money and security vs signing a 1 year minimum with the Lakers isn’t hard to beat. I could sees team giving him 2/$5 mil which achieves what i daid. more money and more security. and 2/$5 mil might be conservative.
Lakers should be able to do way more than minimum with a BAE. I wouldn’t pay him more than the minimum, he’s not good
Anyone else think Lebron is gonna cash out players on the side? You can’t tell me he didn’t give AD 4 mil to decline the kicker
Probably made him a “producer” on space jam 2
How bout that 1 year minimum?
Celtics. He’s from the area and they need bigs.
Yup. Thought the same. More minutes/opportunity to build his profile and worth for his next contract.
Wouldn’t Celtics want someone… Idk.. useful?
Think the Celts should go all in on Vuce but what do I know?