Knicks C Noah 'for sure' wants to stay in New York
It's unclear whether Joakim Noah will remain with the New York Knicks moving forward, but the center says he hopes to remain in the Big Apple.
When asked in a video published by TMZ on Monday if he wants to remain in the city, Noah replied, "I love New York." He responded, "For sure," when asked again later in the video.
Noah, who was placed on indefinite leave in February after a dispute with then-head coach Jeff Hornacek, also was asked if he has worked out with new head coach David Fizdale.
"I don't know what's going to happen," Noah said, "but Coach Fiz is cool, man."
Noah effectively was exiled from the team in late January after he got into a verbal altercation with Hornacek during a practice on Jan. 24 that required the two to be separated. That came a day after Noah yelled expletives at his coach upon being removed from a game against the Golden State Warriors. The sides announced a "mutually" agreed upon indefinite leave for Noah on Feb. 2.
The Knicks pursued trades involving Noah but were unable to find any suitable options, as teams have been reluctant to take on a four-year $72.6 million contract that still has two years remaining. Noah made $17.8 million last season and is due $18.5 million in 2018-19 and $19.3 million in 2019-20.
Fizdale, who was hired in May, told reporters he might meet with Noah during the offseason, but ESPN reports that "nothing's changed" regarding the team's level of communication with the big man.
Noah, 33, played in just seven games in the 2017-18 season, all off the bench, while averaging 1.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 5.7 minutes per game. He averaged 5.0 points and 8.8 rebounds in 46 games (all starts) in 2016-17, his first year with the Knicks.
A two-time All-Star, Noah has battled injuries throughout his career, limiting him to less than 70 games in eight of the last nine seasons.
Whether or not Noah remains on the roster this season, he is unlikely to be around next summer, as the Knicks have been vocal about plans to clear salary in order to court one or two max-level free agents in 2019 free agency. The team could waive Noah after Sept. 1 and use the stretch provision to pay his $19.3 million 2019-20 salary over three seasons, if it chooses.
--Field Level Media
