New York Knicks Reportedly Interested In Former NBA 6th Overall Pick
Nerlens Noel has yet to appear in an NBA game during the 2023-24 season and is currently a free agent that is available to be signed by any team in the league.
He is coming off a year where he played in 17 games for the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets and averaged 2.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per contest.
On Friday, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported intel from around the NBA and revealed that the New York Knicks are among several teams with "exploratory interest" in signing Noel.
He also noted the Houston Rockets and Charlotte Hornets.
Noel played for the Knicks for two seasons (2020-22) and averaged 4.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.9 blocks per contest while shooting 59.7% from the field in 89 games (52 starts).
He helped them make the NBA playoffs as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference during the 2021 season and was one of their top defenders.
With Mitchell Robinson still out, Noel would be an intriguing option to have off the bench, and he's familiar with playing for the organization.
Noel was initially the sixth pick in the 2013 NBA Draft out of Kentucky and would be going into his tenth season in the league.
In addition to the Knicks, Pistons and Nets, he's also spent time with the Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks.
The 29-year-old has career averages of 7.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per contest while shooting 54.6% from the field.
