Brooklyn Nets Sign Free Agent 9-Year Veteran Center

The Brooklyn Nets have hit the buyout market to add some size to their roster, and a rim-protecting presence off the bench behind Nic Claxton. They've signed free agent Nerlens Noel, previously of the Detroit Pistons. 

Free agent center Nerlens Noel is signing a deal with the Brooklyn Nets, his agent @GeorgeLangberg tells ESPN. After completing buyout with Pistons, Noel joins a Nets team needing some size off the bench.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 4, 2023

It's a 10-day contract for Noel, who has averaged 1.5 blocks and 6.1 rebounds in 22 minutes per game throughout his nine-year NBA career. This season in Detroit, he was only getting 11 minutes per contest, and was averaging 2.3 points and 2.6 rebounds. 

The move means that Ben Simmons (whenever he's available to play) won't have to play the five as much. That simply hasn't worked well for the Nets this season (but then again, neither has Simmons).

It also means that they won't have to lean on inexperienced second-year player Day'Ron Sharpe for those 10 minutes a game, either. 

The 6'11" Noel is still just 28 years old. Because he was waived before the end of February, he would be eligible for the playoffs, should the Nets make it. 

He can be signed to one more 10-day after this one, if the Nets so choose, but after that they'd either have to sign him to a full contract for the rest of the season or release him. 

 Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports