The 2019-20 season was Noel's sixth in the Association and his second with the Thunder. Noel appeared in 61 games (seven starts) during the pandemic-shortened campaign, averaging 18.5 minutes per contest -- his most extensive playing time since 2016-17. He responded with averages of 7.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.5 blocks per contest -- that's 14.3 points, 9.6 boards, 1.9 steals and 2.9 blocks per 36 minutes. Noel scored a season-high 15 points on four separate occasions. On Oct. 30, the big center double-doubled with 15 points and 14 rebounds against Portland. Three days later, Nov. 2 , Noel swatted a season-high six shots during a win over the Pelicans. He set a career high with six assists Nov. 10 against Milwaukee, adding 14 points and two blocks. In his seven starts, Noel averaged 11.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 0.7 steals per game. All told, he cleared double-digit points 20 times and double-doubled three times. The Kentucky product appeared in all seven of OKC's first-round playoff games versus Houston, averaging 3.0 points, 4.1 boards and 0.7 blocks over 13.9 minutes. Noel twice posted nine-rebound efforts off the bench during the series.

Noel enjoyed a healthy 2018-19 campaign after being limited to just 30 games in 2017-18. He joined the Thunder as a free agent in the summer of 2018 and put together a solid bounce-back season. Noel started two contests in 2018-19 but primarily came off the bench to provide energy and hustle for the Thunder. He played in 77 games -- 47 more than the previous season -- and averaged 4.9 points in just under 14 minutes per game. He was diligent in his role, attacking the glass and challenging shots, averaging 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. He also stepped up his efficiency by shooting 58.7 percent from the field, a 6.3 percent increase from the 2017-18 campaign. Noel impressed with a few standout games during the season. On Feb. 14, he tallied 22 points, 13 rebounds and two steals in 22 minutes in a loss to New Orleans. On Oct. 28, he tallied 20 points, 15 rebounds, four steals and a block in a win over the Suns. Noel topped double-digits in scoring on five other occasions and played in all five playoff games for OKC, averaging 4.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in 12.1 minutes per contest.

Noel spent his fourth year in the league with the Mavericks after being traded from the Sixers. Noel started strongly, posting 16 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and an assist against the Hawks. He continued playing consistently until Nov. 11, when his play and minutes began to drop. It turned out that he had torn a ligament in his right thumb, which required surgery that kept him off the court until Feb. 2. Nerlens battled back and returned before the All-Star break. In his second stretch of games, he greatly improved his rebounding, scoring, assists, steals and blocks. His best game after the break was against the Hornets, which featured his second double-double of the season. Noel scored 10 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, stole the ball four times and dished two assists. He played well defensively during the season, averaging 2.7 steals and 1.7 blocks per 36 minutes, making him the second- and fourth-best player, respectively, for Dallas in those categories.

Noel started his third season in the league recovering from a left-knee injury, missing the Sixers' first 23 games. The center played 29 times for the club, logging seven starts. He averaged 8.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks in 19.4 minutes. Noel spent time with the Delaware 87ers of the D-League on a rehab assignment but did see any game action. He debuted with Philly on Dec. 11, scoring eight points in 10 minutes against the Pistons. Noel had his best performance on Jan. 24, posting 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and three blocks in 29 minutes in a win over the Clippers. On Feb. 23, he was traded to the Mavericks for Justin Anderson, Andrew Bogut and a first-round draft pick. His debut for the Mavs came nights later, which featured nine points and 10 rebounds in 29 minutes against the Pelicans. On March 3, Noel registered 15 points, 17 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 35 minutes against the Grizzlies -- matching his career high in boards. Noel appeared in 22 games, starting 12, for his new club. He averaged 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 22.0 minutes. Dallas finished with a 33-49 record and did not qualify for the playoffs.

Noel played 67 games for the 76ers during his sophomore season. The center started 62 of them, averaging 11.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.5 blocks over 29.3 minutes. On opening night, he showed his versatility with 14 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks in 35 minutes against the Celtics. The 21-year old was selected to the 2016 Rising Stars Challenge but missed the event with tendinitis in his right knee. Noel's best performance of the campaign came Feb. 19, when he logged a season-high 24 points to go with nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block against the Pelicans. On March 17, the center recorded a career-high seven steals against the Wizards. He also grabbed a season-high 16 boards that night. Also, Noel notched 16 double-doubles in 2015-16. He scored in double digits 41 times, grabbed 10-plus rebounds on 18 occasions and had two five-plus-assist outings. The Sixers finished with a 10-72 record and did not qualify for postseason play.

Noel was selected by the Pelicans with the sixth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft and later traded to the 76ers the same night. The center missed his entire rookie season after undergoing knee surgery to repair an ACL torn while playing for the University of Kentucky. His professional debut came Oct. 29, when he posted six points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in 34 minutes against the Pacers. During his rookie season in 2014-15, Noel appeared in 75 games (71 starts) for the Sixers. He averaged 9.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.9 blocks in a career-high 30.8 minutes. The 20-year old participated in the 2015 Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend, scoring four points for Team USA. On Feb. 20, against the Pacers again, Noel had a personal-best nine blocks. On March 7, the center grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds against the Hawks. Noel established another career high with 30 points against the Clippers on March 27. All told, the Massachusetts native racked up 18 double-doubles in the campaign. He also finished the season as the third rookie in Sixers history to register 100-plus blocks. The franchise did not qualify for the playoffs with a 18-64 record.