NBA rumors: Nerlens Noel to play in Vegas, Orlando Summer Leagues

By Bryan Rose | Jul 1, 2014

Dec 14, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown and center Nerlens Noel (4) talk while shooting baskets prior to playing the Portland Trail Blazers at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The Philadelphia 76ers aren’t likely to see Joel Embiid on the floor this season, but thankfully the same can’t be said for Nerlens Noel. The No. 6 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Noel missed his entire rookie season after suffering a knee injury at Kentucky which derailed his rookie season in the NBA.

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Now presumably healthy, Nerlens Noel plans to not only play in the Orlando Summer League, but will also play in the Vegas Summer League as well, this according to Kyle Tucker.

It’s welcoming news to Philadelphia 76ers fans as there were questions looming about Noel’s participation in just one of the leagues, let alone playing in both. Of course, there’s a good chance the Sixers coaching staff will understandably be very cautious with Noel and limit his minutes (especially since he’s playing in both leagues) but just seeing Noel on the court will be a pleasure for many.

The presumed No. 1 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Noel slipped out of the top five after suffering a devastating ACL injury while in college but looks to be at full-strength after a season plus of recovery.

The Orlando Summer League is set to begin on July 5th and will conclude on July 11th while the Las Vegas Summer League begins on July 11th and runs through July 21st.

Nerlens Noel will essentially act as the Philadelphia 76ers top draft pick this season considering Embiid is unable to play and Dario Saric will not make his NBA debut for two more seasons at minimum.