NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 01: Cameron Johnson #2 of the Brooklyn Nets and the rest of the bench react to the loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 01, 2023 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Brooklyn Nets 149-118. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Nets’ desperation leads to team signing former Knicks center
It’s been a month since the Nets traded Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks and Kevin Durant to the Suns. Since then, the New York Knicks have beaten the Nets twice and claimed Brooklyn’s previous No. 5 spot in the East.
Thanks to Mikal Bridges, the Nets have won two straight games over the Celtics and Hornets. One of those wins was far more impressive than the other.
With a roster spot open and Brooklyn hoping to still make a run in the playoffs, the Nets have been in search of a backup center. Nic Claxton is a DPOY candidate and is having a career year, but behind him, Brooklyn doesn’t have much of anything. Because of that, the Nets signed Nerlens Noel to a 10-day contract on Monday.
Nets sign former Knicks center Nerlens Noel to a 10-day contract
During the offseason, New York traded Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to Detroit in a move that freed up cap space for free agency. Burks has done well with the Pistons, while Noel was bought out by the Pistons last week. He averaged only 2.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in 14 games.
Noel was part of the 2020-21 team that ended the Knicks’ playoff drought, but he was available for only 25 games in 2021-22. Noel dealt with plantar fasciitis in his final season with the Knicks.
The 28-year-old won’t move the needle all that much for the Nets, but fans have grown tired of watching Day’Ron Sharpe. After a rookie season where he showed promising flashes, the 21-year-old is averaging 3.9 points and 3.8 rebounds in 35 games. With Brooklyn not being able to depend on Sharpe and Ben Simmons’ future in limbo, the Nets turned to Noel. He’s back in New York City, but not in Manhattan.
Nerlens Noel is expected to make his Nets debut on Tuesday night in Houston against the Rockets. That should result in another win for Brooklyn, but the team will then be tasked with traveling to take on the No. 1 team in the East and the No. 1 team in the West.
