Nerlens Noel Joins 76ers' Rival Brooklyn Nets
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The Brooklyn Nets are adding a much-needed big man to their roster. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the veteran center Nerlens Noel is signing a deal to join the Nets.
Earlier this week, Noel was still a member of the Detroit Pistons. After reaching a buyout with the rebuilding organization, the veteran center became free to sign anywhere.
Considering Noel is a 28-year-old veteran with a lot of experience, he could bring value to a contending team. The Nets might not be of the same caliber they were when they had significant names such as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the roster, but they are still viewed as playoff contenders at this point in the year after a busy trade deadline.
This season, Noel appeared in 14 games with the Pistons. He picked up three starts. During that time, Noel averaged 11 minutes on the floor, accounting for 2.3 points per game, 2.6 rebounds per game, and 0.6 blocks per game.
The last time he appeared on the court was during a February 8 game against the Cleveland Cavaliers Noel checked in for three minutes during the 28-point loss to the Cavs.
Ahead of the trade deadline, it was clear that Noel would leave Detroit one way or another. As the Pistons attempted to look for a trade partner, the Philadelphia 76ers were a team many viewed as potential suitors for Noel’s services.
However, a reunion wouldn’t happen. The Sixers quickly added a backup center in the buyout market by signing Dewayne Dedmon to the roster after he reached a buyout with the San Antonio Spurs. That made it clear there wouldn’t be a Noel reunion in Philadelphia this year.
Noel now joins a sixth-seeded Nets team that’s won just three of their last seven games. If the standings were to stay the same at the end of the year, the Sixers would face Noel and the Nets in the first round of the playoffs.
But there is still a lot of basketball left to be played, and a lot can change over the next few weeks.
Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.
