Thunder Rumors: Nerlens Noel Agrees to Contract After Reevaluating Decision

Nerlens Noel is staying put after all.  

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Noel agreed on a deal to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday after initially committing to a new deal Sunday but asking "for time to reevaluate" his decision.

The 25-year-old posted two question marks to his Instagram story.

While Noel's status was back up in the air, Wojnarowski relayed that the Thunder signed free-agent big man Mike Muscala.

Noel had declined his $1.9 million player option to become a free agent, The Athletic and Stadium's Shams Charania reported Thursday, and "several other teams" were expected to be interested outside of Oklahoma City.

The thinking behind Noel's hesitation hasn't been disclosed. It could have had to do with another potentially bigger offer from another team, the addition of Muscala or something else entirely. ESPN.com's Royce Young believes Muscala's tenure with the Thunder could impact another frontcourt player more.

"No idea what's going to happen with Noel's situation from here, but I believe Muscala's addition impacts Patrick Patterson's future with OKC more directly," the Thunder beat writer tweeted Sunday night. 

Noel appeared in 77 regular-season games (two starts) for Oklahoma City last season behind starting center Steven Adams. The 2013 sixth overall pick averaged 4.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.

The 2018-19 season was also Noel's first with the Thunder after three with the Philadelphia 76ers and two with the Dallas Mavericks; he missed his entire rookie year after knee surgery. The Kentucky product's best statistical season came in 2015-16 with the Sixers, when he averaged 11.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.5 blocks in 67 games (62 starts). 

Noel's ultimate decision to remain with the Thunder presumably means he believes he can grow into a more impactful player. Details of his deal with Oklahoma City have not yet been disclosed.