The Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and Sacramento Kings are all expected to pursue Nerlens Noel in free agency, league sources told HoopsHype.
Toronto has several centers on their free agency radar, including Jarrett Allen, Richaun Holmes, and Noel. Aron Baynes’ $7.35 million salary is
non-guaranteed for next season, as noted on our Raptors salary page, and Khem Birch is also an unrestricted free agent.
Noel helped anchor a Knicks defense that ranked 13th in opponent rim field goal percentage last season (63.2 percent) to the best in the league this year (60.5 percent). The Knicks also had a 25-16 record when Noel started and 16-15 when he did not. New York exercised its $1.8 million team option on Mitchell Robinson. Given how the tandem of Robinson and Noel worked effectively last season, there’s interest in re-signing Noel from New York.
Should Nerlens join the Pistons, he’d be reunited with former Sixers teammate Jerami Grant, one of his close friends. Following the trade of Mason Plumlee to the Hornets, the Pistons will look to the market for a replacement.
Sacramento’s interest in Noel will be affected by what happens with their own free-agent center, Richaun Holmes, as previously noted on the
HoopsHype podcast.
