Free agent big man Joakim Noah suffered an injury over the summer, but has recovered and is working out again, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, who tweets that Noah is looking to sign with a contending team.
Noah, 34, appeared in only seven games for the Knicks in 2017/18, but rejuvenated his career last season in Memphis after being bought out by New York. In 42 contests with the Grizzlies, the veteran center averaged 7.1 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 2.1 APG in just 16.5 minutes per game.
After hitting free agency again this summer, Noah didn’t land with an NBA team right away and was reportedly recruited by the New Zealand Breakers, R.J. Hampton‘s team in the National Basketball League.
Opting to remain stateside, Noah had an “impressive” workout for the Lakers in August, but was passed over for Dwight Howard. While a report in September suggested that Noah would work out for L.A.’s other team, that Clippers audition was allegedly cancelled, a hint that he may have been dealing with an injury at that time.
NBA teams generally aren’t looking to shake up their rosters this early in the season, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Noah get a chance with a contender at some point, especially if injuries start to pile up around the league.
For instance, although Jason Quick of The Athletic tweets that the Trail Blazers likely won’t add a 15th man for now, since they remain optimistic about Pau Gasol‘s recovery, the Blazers are one team that could consider adding a big man like Noah, with Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins both on the shelf.
Sign with the Nets! There was just a post on here about how the Nets and Suns get a 16th man.
They already got deandre Jordan and Jarrett Allen. They need some help, but just not from a rebounding/shot blocking center like Noah
Beggars can’t be choosers, Joakim…
Joakim has made over 100 million in his career. He very much can be a chooser.
Not when it comes to which team he plays for. Which was kind of the point.
The point is that he doesn’t have to play. He’s HOPING to return. He doesn’t NEED to return.
Yeah, I get your point. You missed the others guys point.
I get Major Factuh point. I just think it’s nonsense. Joakim doesn’t need to beg. He’s at a point in his career/life that he can either choose what situation he plays in or just as easily enjoy his retirement.
But he wants to play, insinuating the desire to continue, thus to the point of the first comment.
Suns?? They are actually winning games
True, and Ayton is out for a while
He’d only slow them down.
The team mentioned above, Portland, makes the most sense.
They should sign Noah since Pau probably won’t be back that soon.
Sign with the Bulls