Report: Thunder's Noel declines $1.9M player option

Oklahoma City Thunder center Nerlens Noel won't pick up his $1.9-million player option for next season and will become an unrestricted free agent, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Noel will discuss a potential new deal with the Thunder but several other teams are expected to express interest, adds Charania.

The 25-year-old averaged 4.9 points, 4.2 boards, and 1.2 blocks per contest across 77 appearances this past season.

Noel has already spent time with three teams since being drafted sixth overall in the 2013 NBA Draft.

He starred during his lone season at Kentucky, during which he averaged 10.5 points, 9.5 boards, 4.4 blocks, and 2.1 steals per contest across 24 games. Noel's strong play earned him consideration for the top overall pick in the draft until a left ACL tear cut his freshman year short.