Oklahoma City Thunder big man Nerlens Noel declined his $1.99 million player option for 2019-20, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported Thursday.
The move allows Noel to join the loaded NBA summer free agent field, though he will talk with the Thunder about possibly staying put, according to Charania.
Noel, 25, averaged 4.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots per game in 77 appearances (two starts) during his lone season with the Thunder. He signed a free agent deal with Oklahoma City last summer after playing 1 1/2 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks.
Selected sixth overall out of the University of Kentucky by the then-New Orleans Hornets in 2013, Noel was immediately dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Jrue Holiday, Pierre Jackson and a 2014 first-round pick that became Elfrid Payton.
After missing the 2013-14 season following knee surgery, Noel played 2 1/2 seasons in Philadelphia before he was dealt to Dallas in February 2017 in exchange for Justin Anderson, Andrew Bogut and a 2017 first-round pick that ultimately was used on Jawun Evans.
In 300 career NBA games (160 starts), Noel has averaged 8.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.
--Field Level Media
