Nerlens Noel Has Drawn Interest From Hornets, Knicks, Rockets

According to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets have shown exploratory interest in Nerlens Noel.

Noel is currently an unrestricted free agent. He played 17 games for the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets last season. 

“Free agent center Nerlens Noel has drawn exploratory interest from the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, and Charlotte Hornets, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote. “Before signing veteran center Taj Gibson to a second 10-day contract, the Knicks checked in on Noel, who was liked by coach Tom Thibodeau and blocked a career-best 2.2 shots per game during the 2020-21 season. … The Rockets toyed with the idea of adding a center at the trade deadline, and adding Noel, a 10-year veteran, has also been discussed.”

Noel was the sixth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He holds career averages of 7.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks with the Sixers, Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Knicks, Pistons and Nets. 

Noel played for the Knicks from 2020-21 to 2021-22. He averaged 4.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.9 blocks. The lefty had a good relationship with head coach Tom Thibodeau and president Leon Rose. 

The Hornets are 13-41. They are in 13th place in the Eastern Conference standings. Charlotte will miss the playoffs for the eighth straight year. 

The Knicks are 33-22. They are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. New York will make the playoffs for the third time in four years. 

Finally, the Rockets are 24-30. They are in 12th place in the Western Conference standings. Houston is looking to make the postseason for the first time since 2020. 

It will be intriguing to see if Noel gets signed by a team.