2019 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Nerlens Noel: 1 year, $2 million (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Nerlens Noel is agreed on a deal with OKC -- again, league source tells ESPN. https://t.co/SJXATURUAa
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Nerlens Noel had gone back and forth on reaching an extension, but eventually settled on a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum.
Obviously it’s better OKC saved that taxpayer MLE, even after Noel may have played his way into a slight pay raise after his first season with the Thunder. His modest averages of 4.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game don’t speak to his importance, but he was a solid backup to Steven Adams, compiling his numbers in just 13.7 minutes per game.
Noel shot 58.7 percent from the floor, was a rim deterrent on defense and is still only 25 years old. Ultimately, bringing Noel back on such a manageable deal is a fine move.
Grade: B-