Sacramento Kings release Nerlens Noel

The Sacramento Kings are quickly becoming the most popular NBA team in the Big Blue Nation. Last season, De’Aaron Fox led the Western Conference franchise to the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2006. In supporting roles, Malik Monk and Trey Lyles each contributed to the great season in Sactown.

On July 21, the Kings signed former Kentucky center Nerlens Noel to a contract. Unfortunately, the 29-year-old was released by the franchise less than two months later after Sacramento agreed to a free agent deal with veteran center JaVale McGee, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The former top-10 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Noel is entering his 11th season in the NBA and has spent time with the Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and Brooklyn Nets. The five-man only played in 17 games last season and has not played more than 70 games in a season since 2018-19.

Nerlens Noel is still considered a viable rim-protecting option on defense. The free agent will now be looking for another home as the NBA’s preseason is just around the corner. Noel spent one season at Kentucky in 2012-13 averaging 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 4.4 blocks in 31.9 minutes per game. The big man’s season was ended by a torn ACL injury, but that did not stop Noel from earning SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Now the former Wildcat will look to find another home in the NBA as he continues his professional basketball journey.