The NBA buyout market has been very active this year as many expected. That tends to happen when there is a busy trade deadline, which this season certainly had. As the Sacramento Kings left fans with some unanswered questions after the deadline, they have continued to play well on the court.
Don’t allow the wins to could your judgment, though. The Kings have a few key areas they can get better at before this season’s potential playoff run. It just got very easy for Sacramento, too, because Nerlens Noel, who they had an interest in trading for before the deadline passed, has now been bought out by the Detroit Pistons.
Center Nerlens Noel and the Detroit Pistons have completed a contract buyout, his agent @GeorgeLangberg tells ESPN. Noel can join a team and become eligible for a playoff roster.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 27, 2023
The Kings could add some quality, much-needed, cheap depth in their frontcourt by pursuing Noel. They would have competition in their pursuit, though, as many contending teams or playoff hopefuls could value adding some rim protection for the stretch run.
Kings should be aggressive in trying to bring in Noel
It was well known the Kings were among the teams interested in trading for Noel before the NBA trade deadline. It made sense at the time and still makes sense right now, so one could assume the Kings will, at the very least, be monitoring the situation.
Noel is a rim-protecting big man that changes opponents’ shots like no one on the current Kings roster. He would solidify the backup center position that has been unfilled all season for Mike Brown.
Instead of spelling Domantas Sabonis with Richaun Holmes, Brown could bring in a defensive-minded big man. That would be an asset from day one and even more so once the NBA playoffs roll around.
Holmes isn’t going to suddenly become rotation worthy for the Kings this season. Instead of being left with undersized options like Holmes when potentially playing guys like Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokic or Deandre Ayton in the playoffs, Noel could at least hold his own.
It will be interesting to see if the Kings do pursue the big man they were once interested in. It would certainly make them a better basketball team right now.