USA TODAY Sports

Nerlens Noel is coming off a year where he appeared in 17 regular season games for the Brooklyn Nets and Detroit Pistons. 

He averaged 2.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per contest while shooting 36.1% from the field in 11.5 minutes of playing time. 

This summer, the former Kentucky star signed a deal with the Sacramento Kings

However, Noel was waived earlier this month, and on September 15, he officially became a free agent (h/t RealGM). 

Noel was initially the sixth pick in the 2013 NBA Draft after one season of college basketball and had been seen as a player who had star potential.  

Despite never making an All-Star Game, the 29-year-old has been a solid role player and excellent defender. 

Over nine seasons, Noel has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks. 

His career averages are 7.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per contest while shooting 54.6% from the field in 467 regular season games (he has also appeared in 17 NBA playoff games). 

Since Noel has now been a free agent for nearly a week, he will be a name to keep an eye on.

Training camps around the league will begin at the beginning of next month, and Noel could likely be signed for a minimum deal.

Either a contending team looking to add depth to its bench or a young team in need of veteran leadership in their locker room would make sense for Noel. 

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