Joakim Noah has barely played since his PED suspension ended last month, but the Knicks have no thoughts of trying to get him to agree to a buyout, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post.
Noah has been on the court for just 11 minutes in two games this season and has appeared in just 48 total games since signing a four-year, $72MM deal in the summer of 2016. He still has two seasons and $37.825MM left on that contract, making him virtually impossible for the team to trade.
GM Scott Perry remains a supporter of Noah’s and believes the 32-year-old center will eventually become an asset.
“I like having some veteran people around to help a young team,” Perry said. “His veteran experience is very helpful to have in the locker room. As of right now, I’m comfortable he’s here. Let’s see what he can contribute going forward. He’s done everything we’ve asked of him and embraced where he is in his career. It’ll happen at some point [that he”ll play].’’
While Noah was sidelined, he fell to fourth on the depth chart behind starting center Enes Kanter, who was acquired from the Thunder in the Carmelo Anthony trade, and backups Kyle O’Quinn and Willy Hernangomez. Playing time is also an issue for Hernangomez, who has appeared in just 14 games this season and is seeing less than 11 minutes per night.
Noah has accepted blame for his plight, which was created through a mix of injuries and the 20-game suspension. He had knee and hamstring injuries last season, then needed surgery in April for a torn rotator cuff. He took Androgen to speed up the healing process, which resulted in his suspension.
Noah said he feels like a rookie again as he tries to work his way back into the rotation. He has already made one trip to the Knicks’ G League affiliate in Westchester as a way to get some playing time and is willing to go there again.
“I’ve always been a team guy,’’ Noah said. “That’s never going to change. That’s who I am. I support all my teammates. It’s not about my situation. I made my mistakes. My injuries, everything, I’m coming from the bottom. I’m OK. I feel good. I feel healthy. And whenever my number is called, I’m ready.”
Perry is right, Noah will become an asset when he’s off the payroll.
I don’t know who has a worse deal, Parsons or Noah. Both stealing money for doing jack sh$t!
That’s a tough one. I’d have to lean towards Parsons’ contract only because the expectations were higher from a contribution standpoint.
Good question. Both suck more than a dyson vacuum. But I’m going to go with Parsons.
Give Jo something though, he knows he’s a leach on the Knicks salary cap, and he’s taking responsibility for it.
The only person dumb enough to believe Noah was going to be bought out at this point is Berman. He clearly doesn’t understand the benefits and detriments of buying out a contract and when you use or don’t use the stretch provisions. Here there are zero benefits to a buyout and/or stretching the contract; only detriments.