Kings sign Noel to 1-year, $3.1M deal

The Sacramento Kings signed free-agent center Nerlens Noel to a one-year, $3.1-million contract, his agent told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Noel split the 2022-23 campaign between the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets, averaging 2.1 points, 2.7 boards, and 0.9 steals in 11.5 minutes over 17 combined appearances.

The former No. 6 overall pick gives the Kings an experienced defensive option behind All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis.

Noel, 29, has been a solid rim-protector throughout his career, registering 1.5 blocks per contest across nine NBA campaigns. During the 2020-21 season, he led his peers in defensive box plus-minus (3.8) and finished third in swats (2.2 per game).

Sacramento tied for 23rd in defensive efficiency and 26th in opponent field-goal percentage at the rim (69%) last season, per Cleaning the Glass.