4 free agent centers the Pelicans should consider to replace Anthony Davis

Nerlens Noel: Oklahoma City Thunder, Player Option

Speaking of Oklahoma City Thunder centers, here is the trade piece the New Orleans Pelicans used from the 2013 NBA Draft that landed the team Jrue Holiday. Noel held a stat line of 4/4/0.6 on 58.7% shooting from the floor and absolutely zero three point attempts in 2018-19. Noel has been a little bit of a let down, to say the least, in his career.

His scoring has never been his strongest suit, only averaging 8.2 points throughout his career with a career high 11.1 points during the 2015-16 season with the Philadelphia 76ers. His rebounding has been average with a career average of 6.5 total rebounds with career high 8.1 total rebounds per game in the 2014-15 and 15-16 seasons.

Injuries have played a part in his statistical drop, and losing out on being a consistent starter compounded the issue. After betting on himself and entering free agency, a $4.1 million qualifying offer from the Dallas Mavericks for the 2017-2018 season didn’t go the way he probably hoped with the dreams of a much bigger payday on the horizon. Instead, he signed a 2-year deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, with the second year being a player option.

Being Steven Adams’ backup probably isn’t the worst job and position he could be in, but being young enough, he might opt out for a chance at being a starter again. Maybe the team who drafted him in 2013 will give him a fresh breath of life and an opportunity to be the long term starter at center.