The New York Knicks are in a tough situation with Joakim Noah.
The Knicks are looking to get rid of Noah, who had an exchange with head coach Jeff Hornacek recently. Noah signed a four-year, $72 million deal with the team in 2016 and is owed nearly $38 million over the next two seasons.
While appearing on ESPN’s broadcast of the Celtics-Knicks game on Wednesday, NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski said Noah has no inclination to give back any of the money he is owed because he knows this could be his last contract. That means a buyout does not seem too likely.
If a buyout is not in the cards, the Knicks could waive Noah via the stretch provision. That would mean a $7.5 million hit to the club over five seasons rather than the $18.5 million they owe him next year and the $19.3 million he is owed the season after that.
Woj also reported that the Knicks have told Noah not to return to the team prior to the trade deadline.
As the New York Knicks discuss possible trade scenarios, exiled center Joakim Noah won’t be required to return to the team prior to the Feb. 8 trade deadline, league sources tell ESPN. Noah was sent away after a practice confrontation with Jeff Hornacek on Jan. 24.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 1, 2018
