Brooklyn Nets Cut Ties With Former NBA Lottery Pick

There's another veteran free agent big man on the market, as the Brooklyn Nets, after just a quick three-game look, have decided not to bring back 9th-year center Nerlens Noel. 

Nets say nyet to new Nerlens Noel deal as 10-day expires

Nerlens the Net played 3 games – per game:

– 14 minutes
– 1 point
– 3 rebounds
– 1.7 turnovers pic.twitter.com/M4pgPrM3pQ

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) March 16, 2023

He won't be signed to another contract. During his 10-day trial, Noel played an average of 14 minutes a game over a trio of contests, but was only able to muster up 1.0 point per game and 3.0 rebounds.

“It’s interesting, as I was talking to one of the coaches, sometimes you get a 10-day [contract] and that guy doesn’t play,” head coach Jacque Vaughn said before Tuesday’s game. “[But Noel] has had ample playing time… So [we’ve] had a chance to get a look at him. I think what he’s done is [taken] charges, blocks at the rim, the ability to have activity when using his speed and quickness. So those are the things we’ve seen from Nerlens.”

But while Vaughn gave Noel his props, they have decided to go in another direction, bringing in a hometown kid to serve as backup center. 

The 28-year-old Noel was the No. 6 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets, but did not play for them as he sat out his rookie season with an injury. 

Since then, Noel has played for six different teams, averaging 7.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots in 22 minutes per game in his 467 career contests.

Photo: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports