Unbelievable: Kings paid $300,000 to a player that never play for a single
Every dollar matters.
For the 2023–24 NBA season, the Kings paid a player who never played for them $300,000.
The money was given to Nerlens Noel, who last played in the NBA on March 12, 2023, as a reserve big for the Brooklyn Nets.
On July 18, Sacramento signed Noel to an offseason contract, retaining him as a depth player through the fall. In the end, he and fan favorite Neemias Queta were cut on September 12 to make place for three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee, who played for the squad until the end of the season.
After being cut, Noel was owed $300,000, according to Spotrac (via Sports Illustrated’s Ben Stinar). Noel officially ended the season with a sizable salary and little playing time, either with the Kings or as an NBA free agent, following the Kings’ season-ending loss to the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Despite being an above-average defender, Noel’s career hasn’t worked out. The big man went from being a double-double machine as a big-time freshman at Kentucky to a journeyman trying to find a home on an NBA roster. He was taken No. 6 overall in the 2013 NBA Draft and finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting.
The Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and Brooklyn Nets are the six teams that Noel has represented in nine NBA seasons.
He’s averaged 7.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 assists over 467 games.
It seems likely that Noel, 30, still has a lot to offer the game of basketball. Ideally, he can rejoin the NBA and finish his career how he sees fit.
For the time being, though, he might be able to get by by producing money for Sacramento without having to work too hard.
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On This Date: Sacramento Kings and Stojakovic force a Game 7 against the Mavericks.
In the meanwhile, as we await the start of the NBA Draft and the free agency process in the upcoming weeks, let’s revisit some historic Sacramento Kings events that have occurred on this very date in the past.
NBA Western Conference Semifinals, May 15, 2003; Kings 115, Mavericks 109, Game 6 (Series tied 3-3)
Although it appeared like Sacramento’s season would end with Chris Webber’s horrific knee injury, the Kings responded forcefully in Game 6, as four players scored 20 points or more to force a Game 7 and send the series back to Dallas.
Peja Stojakovic helped Sacramento win 115-109 at ARCO Arena by scoring 17 of his 24 points and grabbing ten rebounds in the second half.
Throughout the course of 34 minutes, Vlade Divac shot nine out of seventeen from the field to score 21 points in the victory.
With 20 points (10 of-11 from the free-throw line), nine rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and one steal in 44 minutes, Doug Christie packed the stat sheet.
Bobby Jackson, the current Sixth Man of the Year winner, added 21 points off the bench, and Jim Jackson recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
When is the next noteworthy Sacramento Kings off-season date?
The NBA Draft now takes place over two nights.
The Sacramento Kings will select their player in the 13th round of the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday, June 26th, opening night of the draft. On Thursday, June 27th, the Kings will select with their 45th overall pick in the second round of the draft.
Since 2022, when it selected Iowa product Keegan Murray with the fourth overall pick, Sacramento has not had a first-round pick.
For all of your Kings draft coverage, including player profiles, workout reports prior to the draft, draft night coverage, and much more, stay tuned to Sactown Sports.
Schedule during the NBA Offseason
2024 NBA Draft: Wednesday, June 26–Thursday, June 27
The free agent negotiation window opens on Sunday, June 30 at 3 PM PST.
Free agents will be able to formally sign contracts on July 6th.
July 12–22: Summer League in Las Vegas
July 27–August 11 — Olympic Games of 2024
Training camps for the NBA start on Friday, September 27.
