Nerlens Noel’s return to the Oklahoma City Thunder was a little unorthodox.
After the Thunder’s 2018-19 backup big man didn’t pick up his option for 2019-20 so he could test free agency, Noel agreed to return to Oklahoma City on the first day of 2019 Free Agency Moratorium. But the commitment didn’t even last the night, with Noel asking the Thunder for time to rethink his decision soon after the two parties had come to terms.
Less than 24 hours after de-committing, Noel once again agreed to return to the Thunder.
Now, Noel’s then-agent Rich Paul was not brought up in the course of the negotiations. But given Paul’s responsibilities, he may have played a part in the confusion. Paul’s handling of the matter could also be why Noel fired him on Saturday. According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, both Noel and New York Knicks forward Marcus Morris have moved on from the super-agent.
Morris was originally set to sign with the San Antonio Spurs on a two-year, $20 million deal, but after the Knicks renegotiated Reggie Bullock’s contract, the former Boston Celtics forward was offered $15 million to play in New York for one year.
