After a Friday report indicated that the Knicks were increasing their efforts to trade Joakim Noah, more details on the rift between Noah and the Knicks – as well as his absence from the team – surfaced today, with Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports reporting that the front office is “exploring avenues” to part with the veteran center.
According to various reports, including one from Marc Stein of The New York Times, Noah expressed displeasure with his playing time and his role when he was removed from last Tuesday’s game against the Warriors, then had another heated exchange with head coach Jeff Hornacek during Wednesday’s practice in Denver. At that point, the Knicks granted Noah time away from the team for what was essentially meant to be a “cooling-off period,” writes Stein.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN, Noah is currently working out and is awaiting word from the Knicks on the next steps for rejoining the team. Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News suggests that Noah is waiting to hear if he should report back to the club at all, though there’s an expectation he’ll return — his contract will be very difficult to trade, and there’s little upside to waiving him at this point.
Here’s more on Noah:
- There have been no discussions between Noah and the Knicks so far about a buyout, according to Begley, who hears from sources that the 32-year-old isn’t inclined to give up significant money to accommodate a buyout.
- A source tells Bondy that the Cavaliers entertained the possibility of taking on Noah during the 2017 offseason as part of a Kyrie Irving trade. The kicker? Kristaps Porzingis would have needed to be included. The Knicks weren’t interested at the time, according to Bondy, and there’s no indication that the club would have any interest now in moving Noah by attaching him to Porzingis or another prime asset.
- Noah’s frustration with his role (or lack thereof) isn’t new. According to Steve Aschburner of NBA.com (Twitter link), Noah told a confidante over a month ago that his playing time situation was stressful.
- There’s a belief that there would still be a market for Noah if he’s eventually waived or bought out, writes Charania. I imagine the big man would have to settle for a minimum salary contract in that scenario.
You’ve played 56 games in the 2 years in NY. You collected every penny due to you. Shut your mouth and play whatever role the coach wants you to play. These players are demanding too much these days.
Exactly! I can’t believe they granted him time to cool off. I could believe take the rest of the day off. But a job is a job. Can’t the team void the contract if he’s healthy and simply refuses to play? I’m asking as I don’t know.
Noah…ugh.
I for one am shocked that Noah’s contract has turned out a disaster.
Lmao
The fact of the matter is that he needs to play. Has Hornacek rotations worked? At times but not enough to keep this guy off the floor. With all due respect I don’t care if he becomes the high paid water boy in the league he needs to do something for that money.
As a Cavs fan, I would have loved to see him come to Cleveland. Haven’t had too many chances to boo our own players, and after he’s done as much bashing he’s done of Cleveland over the years, he would look forward to playing on the road, because he sure as hell wouldn’t have been welcome at home.
Was wondering where you were going with that one. Hahaha I love it! And thought the same. Get an apartment right next to all those factories.
This isn’t a case of first impression. Tell him to come back as a team guy or stay home. He’s not getting cut now. In 18 months, we’ll try and use his expiring contract, and if not, we’ll likely at that point cut him and then either take the full hit in 2019-20, or stretch the last year over 4 years. In the meantime, he and his agent can look for a deal (LOL) that we might be interested in, or propose a buyout that works for the us.
He has to agree to the buyout. It’s not just whatever the Knicks want to give him. He’s not going to get anything substantial again so it’s unlikely he’s going to give up millions.
Too many prima donnas in the NBA, watch college it’s more exciting
Without the BS. Noah is upset, poor baby.
Not too upset with the F paycheck that Phil overpaid him!
Just mix some over the counter stuff into his Gatorade.
I think this falls on Noah. I don’t know if this is possible but if I was Noah and I knew I could contribute at a high level I would volunteer to go down to the G League. I would get my game legs and try focus on showcasing myself for other teams or the Knicks. Baseball players will do this, why can’t basketball?
What ever was going on with hose former Bulls? They act all kitty like if they aren’t the star. *I’m talking to you DRose!