As we relayed earlier this week, the Knicks are expected to part ways with oft-injured center Joakim Noah before the start of training camp. If the Knicks fail to find a trading partner, the team is expected to use the stretch provision after September 1. Noah, 33, still has two years and $37.8MM left on his deal.
Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News examined both the good and bad sides of the Knicks parting ways with Noah this offseason. It would likely avoid a major headache and possible players’ union issue if the Knicks refuse to play Noah. Bondy reiterates that the deadline to solve the Noah issue is not September 1 but rather next summer when New York intends to pursue top free agents.
The Nets dealing Timofey Mozgov‘s lucrative multiyear contract for an expiring deal is one example of a team leveraging an albatross deal into future cap space. The Knicks’ best choice would be to hold onto Noah and look for trades instead of stretching his contract, Bondy writes.
Check out more Atlantic Division notes:
- In the same story, Bondy looked at the pros and cons of the Knicks extending Kristaps Porzingis this offseason. On one hand, New York should lock up its best player since Patrick Ewing amid an unstable environment, with Porzingis set to play for the fourth coach of his career in 2018/19. Conversely, the Knicks plan to make use of their cap room in 2019, and extending the Latvian now would eat into that space — the team could simply let him hit restricted free agency and then negotiate or match any offer.
- Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson denied the franchise has contemplated tanking in order to secure more favorable draft positioning, Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes. Instead, Atkinson says the goal is to play as well as possible so Brooklyn becomes a desirable free agency destination. “We talk about internal improvement, we talk about player development, we talk about culture,” Atkinson said. “Tanking is not a word we use. It’s just not in our [vocabulary]. I don’t think the fans in New York want to see that.”
- Following an injury to rookie Zhaire Smith, the Sixers may be in the market for wing depth, and veteran sharpshooter Jamal Crawford could fit the bill. In a recent appearance on Brandon Robinson’s Scoop B Podcast, Crawford spoke glowingly of Philadelphia and what playing there would mean to him (via Amico Hoops). “I like their city. I like how into it they are about basketball. I like their knowledge of basketball, how passionate they are. I’ve always loved coach Brett Brown,” Crawford said.
If you moved that decimal point Noah’s deal isnt bad… 3.78M lol
In premise I like Crawford, but with JJ and Fultz at the 2, where are the minutes? Simmons, TJ, and Shamet are at the 1.
The biggest problem with extending Porzingis right now is that you really have no clue how he is going to rebound from his injury. Signing him to a max extension would be a major gamble when you are not even sure if he can be what he was, let alone take the next step forward.
You give him one Similar to Embiids,although waiting to match would probably be the better option next summer.
Atkinson was in the Yankees broadcast booth on YES the other day and you can tell he really believes in the direction of the team. He knows he walked into a terrible situation, but both he and Sean Marks have done a really good job at recouping assets and opening up cap room in the near future.
The Knicks should play Noah. If he sucks, it helps them tank. If he’s good, he increases his value; even if they can’t trade him, if his value is higher maybe they could buy him out next summer for 12 million. If they can buy him out for a good price they can save almost as much money as they can by stretching him.
I’m in the camp that believes the Knicks need to follow the process (acquire high draft picks and free up cap space). I think they could be really good team in a couple of years. But, I think they need at least 1 more high draft pick/an all star potential guard in next years draft. If they have a few all star level draft picks on their roster, I think they’ll be a desireable location for free agents. Build it and they will come. The slower road to long term success.
They’ll get that pick next year based on expectations for this year, and can maneuver around to get two max contracts. A combo of Irving and Butler, along with KP, Knox and the high pick could put them on the right path.
With Dolan as an owner I will not hold my breath of a knicks revival. GSW did not change until owners changed.
Agreed. Sadly, Dolan will never sell while he’s alive.
Agree with hiflew, I have been saying it since he got injured, a guy of KP6 height, such an injury we just don’t know if he will ever go back to what he was, never mind improve. But the problem NY has got is extend him now if he doesn’t recover would be the biggest mistake ever for the franchise, but if they don’t & he recovers well, can feel disrespected by the team or lack of trust, so either way is a high risk situation for the Knicks, between gambling their future or upsetting their star, tough one.
Thanks for pointing out the obvious.
Due to a considerable amount of practice Noah has been able to improve his shooting from the ARK.
The problem in New York and Los Angeles is ownership. New York has Jim Dolan who had the Isaiah Thomas problem, Charles Oakley problem, then Phil Jackson. In Los Angeles the Lakers had the Jeannie Buss-Phil Jackson problem, then the Jeannie Buss vs. her brothers problem. She hired Magic Johnson who was a great player, but a lousy coach, and yet to be determined running the Lakers. With Golden State having a dynasty, L.A. better hope they are getting things right.
Great players don’t always make great management.
I agree completely. It’s the same logic why great students rarely make great teachers. C students make much better teachers than A students because they understand the experience of the majority of the students rather than just the best of the students. Stars are gonna be stars regardless, but a guy like Steve Kerr can understand and help the supporting players a lot more than a star player can.
What? That is a terrible analogy regarding C vs A student teachers, etc. As for Steve Kerr, the reason he’s a good coach is because he’s smart (A student variety), and it certainly doesn’t hurt with the supporting cast he’s had.