The Golden State Warriors Need To Sign This 9-Year NBA Veteran

Nerlens Noel is still a free agent on December 12.

On Tuesday evening, the Golden State Warriors will be in Arizona to face off against the Phoenix Suns.

The Warriors have gotten off to a slow start to the season and come into the evening with a 10-12 record in their first 22 games, which has them as the 11th seed in the Western Conference.

One of their biggest struggles has been on the defensive side of the ball. 

They are currently allowing teams to score 115.1 points per contest (which ranks 20th), and they are only blocking 3.5 shots per contest (which ranks 28th). 

"We got to figure out how to stop talking about it and do it. Or else you’ll be into the new year with the same problems."

Steph on the Warriors' persistent struggles pic.twitter.com/YhVdE6Q4zP

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) December 9, 2023

I believe the Warriors need to sign Nerlens Noel.  

The 29-year-old is still a free agent that is available to be signed by any team in the league.

He is coming off a season where he played in 17 games (four starts) for the Brooklyn Nets and Detroit Pistons. 

Locking in 🔒 pic.twitter.com/KFWDiIvyF0

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 8, 2023

Noel was the sixth pick in the 2013 NBA Draft out of Kentucky and has played nine seasons in the league for the Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks.

His career averages are 7.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per contest while shooting 54.6% from the field in 467 regular season games (he has also appeared in 17 NBA playoff games). 

🚫 Nerlens Noel says NO! 🚫#ThunderUp on @NBATV pic.twitter.com/RQviodpRHz

— NBA (@NBA) November 26, 2019

There is no question that Noel could give the Warriors a big boost on defense in a role off the bench.   

In addition, he could likely be signed to a veteran's minimum contract (or a ten-day deal), so there would be no risk for the Warriors.