Knicks center Nerlens Noel has filed a lawsuit against agent Rich Paul and his Klutch Sports agency for what Noel claims is up to $58 million in lost salary, as relayed by Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
Paul represented Noel from 2017-2020.
Noel’s lawsuit followed a grievance filed by Klutch Sports with the National Basketball Players Association that alleged Noel still has not paid $200,000 in commission on a one-year contract with the Knicks, Windhorst reported. Klutch represented Noel at the time.
“Noel claims breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and negligence,” Windhorst wrote. “The lawsuit doesn’t cite a specific amount of damages but asks for actual and punitive relief.”
Noel alleges that Paul advised him to pass on a reported $70 million contract offer from the Mavericks in 2017 and instead enter free agency the following season and perhaps lad a bigger deal. Noel then turned down the contract and instead signed a one-year qualifying offer for $4.1 million.
He has yet to make the type of money he could have received from Dallas in 2017.
“The following season, Noel broke his thumb and missed 42 games as his numbers dropped,” Windhorst wrote. “He didn’t re-sign with Dallas and played the next two seasons for the Oklahoma City Thunder, making the league minimum, $3.7 million combined, as a backup. He then played last season for the Knicks, making $5 million. Noel remained with Paul for all four contracts.”
Noel, 31, is 6-foot-11 and is now represented by George Langberg. He appeared in 64 games last season, starting 41, and averaging 5.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks during a resurgence of a year for the Knicks.
He signed a three-year contract for $27.7 million, with the possibility of more via incentives, this offseason.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
