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Celtics reportedly interested in local talent ahead of NBA trade deadline

It’s now NBA trade deadline week, and the latest rumor surrounding the Boston Celtics takes a local turn with center Nerlens Noel.

Jan 23, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Nerlens Noel (9) pulls down a rebound against the Milwaukee Bucks in the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 23, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Nerlens Noel (9) pulls down a rebound against the Milwaukee Bucks in the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

It's now NBA trade deadline week, and the latest rumor surrounding the Celtics takes a local turn. According to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, the Celtics are one of a handful of teams who have inquired with the Detroit Pistons about trading for center Nerlens Noel.

Noel, 29, is from Everett and played his first two years of high school basketball at Everett High School before transferring to the Tilton School in New Hampshire. He played his college basketball at Kentucky, then was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans sixth overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, with his rights being dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers that night. He's since played for the Sixers, Mavericks, Thunder, Knicks, and is in his first season with the Pistons.

This is not the first time Brad Stevens has targeted a Massachusetts-born player since becoming the general manager. The team signed both Noah Vonleh of Haverhill and Jake Layman of Wrentham to preseason contracts back in the summer.

This season Noel has played sparingly for Detroit. He's played in 13 games making three starts, averaging 2.5 points and 2.8 rebounds in 11.4 minutes per game.

At 6-foot-10, 220 pounds, Noel would give the Celtics more depth in the front court behind starters Robert Williams and Al Horford and bench players Luke Kornet and Blake Griffin.

Noel is in the final concrete year of his contract, which pays him $9.2 million. He also has a $9.7 million team option on the books for next year. Other teams reportedly in on Noel are the Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, and Philadelphia 76ers.

Whether it's Noel or another player, the Celtics do seem to be trying to add a big man at this deadline. Late last week, they were reportedly looking into dealing for Utah Jazz center Kelly Olynyk, who was drafted by the team and played in Boston from 2013-2017.

Nerlens Noel's career stats

Per Game Table
Season Tm Age G GS MP FG% FT% REB AST STL BLK PTS
2013-14 PHI 19 DNP
2014-15 PHI 20 75 71 30.8 .462 .609 8.1 1.7 1.8 1.9 9.9
2015-16 PHI 21 67 62 29.3 .521 .590 8.1 1.8 1.8 1.5 11.1
2016-17 TOT 22 51 19 20.5 .595 .694 5.8 1.0 1.3 1.0 8.7
PHI 29 7 19.4 .611 .683 5.0 1.0 1.5 0.9 8.9
DAL 22 12 22.0 .575 .708 6.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 8.5
2017-18 DAL 23 30 6 15.7 .524 .750 5.6 0.7 1.0 0.7 4.4
2018-19 OKC 24 77 2 13.7 .587 .684 4.2 0.6 0.9 1.2 4.9
2019-20 OKC 25 61 7 18.5 .684 .755 4.9 0.9 1.0 1.5 7.4
2020-21 NYK 26 64 41 24.2 .614 .714 6.4 0.7 1.1 2.2 5.1
2021-22 NYK 27 25 11 22.5 .533 .700 5.6 0.9 1.2 1.2 3.4
2022-23 DET 28 13 3 11.4 .429 .700 2.8 0.5 1.0 0.7 2.5
Career 463 222 22.1 .547 .655 6.1 1.1 1.3 1.5 7.2
3 seasons PHI 171 140 28.3 .505 .610 7.6 1.6 1.7 1.6 10.2
2 seasons OKC 138 9 15.8 .635 .724 4.5 0.7 0.9 1.4 6.0
2 seasons NYK 89 52 23.7 .597 .710 6.2 0.8 1.1 1.9 4.6
2 seasons DAL 52 18 18.4 .552 .724 6.1 0.8 1.0 0.9 6.1
1 season DET 13 3 11.4 .429 .700 2.8 0.5 1.0 0.7 2.5
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 2/6/2023.

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

Alex Barth is a digital content producer and on-air host for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Barth grew up in the Boston area and began covering the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and Boston Red Sox in 2017 before joining the Hub in 2020. He now covers all things Boston Sports for 985TheSportsHub.com as well as appearing on air. Alex writes about all New England sports, as well as college football. You can follow him across all social media platforms at @RealAlexBarth.