After signing Svi Mykhauliuk earlier this month, the Boston Celtics have just one remaining roster spot to fill. The slot seems to be reserved for veteran big man Blake Griffin, but all signs have been pointing to Griffin’s time with the Cs being over.
Griffin was a fantastic fill-in at times last season. He started in 16 games when either Al Horford or Robert Williams III needed the night off and did quite well.
In those starts, the former No. 1 overall pick averaged 8.1 points, and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 52.2% from the field and 38.8% from beyond the arc.
If the unfortunate scenario of No. 91 being finished in Boston plays out, then the Celtics will have to turn elsewhere for some frontcourt depth.
Fortunately for them, the Sacramento Kings just waived an excellent candidate for the role.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnorowski, the Kings waived Nerlens Noel on Tuesday night.
ESPN Sources: After signing JaVale McGee to a free agent deal, the Sacramento Kings are waiving centers Nerlens Noel and Neemias Queta to give them a chance to play elsewhere. Both signed partially guaranteed one-year deals with Kings this summer.
Would Nerlans Noel be a good fit with the Boston Celtics?
Maybe. He’d surely be just about as good as it gets for players who are still available in September.
Noel has bounced around quite a bit since being drafted No. 6 overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. He started his career with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he played two and a half seasons before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks. He’s since had stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and Brooklyn Nets.
He joined the Kings earlier this summer but didn’t even last until training camp. Noel hasn’t played very much over the past two seasons. In the 2021-22 campaign, he totaled just 25 appearances for the Knicks, then took the floor just 17 this past season.
At 6-11 the Massachusetts native could provide Boston with some extra size off of the bench — specifically when Horford, Williams III, or Kristaps Pozingis need the night off.
He wouldn’t be an earth-shattering signing, but could serve as the perfect fit for what the Celtics need right now.