Pistons Buyout Former Lottery Pick

Nerlens Noel and the Detroit Pistons have reportedly agreed on a buyout, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

Center Nerlens Noel and the Detroit Pistons have completed a contract buyout, his agent @GeorgeLangberg tells ESPN. Noel can join a team and become eligible for a playoff roster.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 27, 2023

As Woj noted, Noel will be playoff eligible should a team scoop him up off the waivers.

The 2013 No. 6 overall pick should get a ton of interest in the buyout market, especially playoff contenders needing a rim runner and a rim protector. 

With the likes of Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren, and Marvin Bagley shoring up the frontcourt minutes, Noel had no real opportunities for a steady role with the Pistons. Detroit even added to that center rotation by trading for 2020 No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman from the Golden State Warriors.

Noel appeared in just 14 games, averaging just nearly 11 minutes per game. 

As mentioned, Noel should help provide solid rim protection for any team needing another man in the middle. The Warriors could be a team who could swoop in and acquire his services given their need of size and defense.

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