The Sacramento Kings recently made a move to acquire veteran center JaVale McGee, which left them with an excess of talent at the center position. In order to address this surplus, the team decided to waive centers Nerlens Noel and Neemias Queta, both of whom had signed partially guaranteed one-year deals with the Kings earlier in the summer.
Kings Cut Ties: Nerlens Noel and Neemias Queta Waived Following JaVale McGee’s Contract Acquisition
The news of the Kings’ decision to waive Noel and Queta was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Noel had begun the 2022-23 season with the Detroit Pistons after being traded from the New York Knicks. During his time with the Pistons, he played in 14 games, starting three, and averaged 2.3 points and 2.6 rebounds. Following a contract buyout agreement in late February, Noel was subsequently waived. He later signed a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets and appeared in three games.
Noel, who was selected as the sixth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft, is known for his rebounding skills and veteran presence. The Kings would have been his seventh team in his NBA career, but now he will have to seek a new home in the league.
As for Queta, he had a limited role with the Kings last season, averaging 2.4 points and 2.2 rebounds in five appearances.
With the addition of McGee, the Kings have solidified their center position, joining forces with Alex Len and All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis. Coming off a strong finish to the previous season, with a record of 48-34 that ranked them third in the Western Conference, the Kings have high hopes for the upcoming season.
Sacramento boasts a deep roster that should allow them to remain competitive in the 2023-24 season. The pick-and-roll combination of Sabonis and star point guard De’Aaron Fox is a potent offensive threat. Veterans Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter excel in their respective roles, while power forward Keegan Murray is expected to make significant strides in his sophomore season after showing promise as a rookie.
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As the Kings move forward with their revamped roster, the decision to waive Noel and Queta reflects their commitment to building a competitive and well-balanced team. While the two centers may be seeking new opportunities in the NBA, the Kings are focused on making a strong push in the upcoming season with their talented roster intact.