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OKC Thunder: Nerlens Noel 2019-20 season and contract grade

By Matthew Hallett

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 29: Nerlens Noel #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball against the Sacramento Kings on January 29, 2020 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 29: Nerlens Noel #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball against the Sacramento Kings on January 29, 2020 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder
Nerlens Noel of the OKC Thunder. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Nerlens Noel signed another one-year deal with the OKC Thunder in the offseason. Let’s have a look at how his season went.

Nerlens Noel signed another single-season contract with the OKC Thunder last offseason. There was a moment during that time where his signature could have gone elsewhere but fortunately, the two parties came to an agreement.

At the start of the season, coach Billy Donovan played Mike Muscala in preference to Noel. This was most probably to see what he had in his new signing. Eventually, Donovan settled on a rotation that played Noel more than Muscala.

While he is a defensive specialist, Noel has always had good offensive production when he has a good connection with his point guard. Fortunately for the Thunder, Noel had the services of one of the best to play the game, Chris Paul, and the second year of chemistry with Dennis Schroder.

How Nerlens Noel’s numbers helped the OKC Thunder.

In his second season with the OKC Thunder, Noel averaged 7.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.0 steals, and 0.7 assists in 18.5 minutes per game. He shot the ball at 68.4 percent from the field. Considering 44.2 percent of his shot attempts were dunks, this is understandable.

Last season the Kentucky product averaged 4.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 0.9 steals in 13.7 minutes per game. The main reason for the increased production and minutes was the loss of Russell Westbrook. His connection with Steven Adams meant the big Kiwi was on the floor more.

The extra time on the court gave the OKC Thunder a different look. Adams is a tremendous team defender and screen setting big man. Noel changed the look of the Thunder every time he got on the court giving better rim protection and above the rim offense.

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