Report: Knicks shopping Noah after 'heated verbal exchange' with Hornacek
It looks as if the Joakim Noah era in New York may be over, the ending complete with a dramatic scene befitting Broadway.
The seldom-used big man got into a "heated verbal exchange" with Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek at practice last week, and the team is now exploring ways in which to part with the two-time All-Star, Yahoo! Sports' Shams Charania reported Monday.
According to Charania, the altercation "stopped short of turning physical" but resulted in the team and Noah agreeing he should leave the team. The incident reportedly happened Wednesday, a day after the Knicks' 123-112 loss at Golden State.
According to multiple reports, Noah yelled at Hornacek in front of teammates when he was removed from that game in the fourth quarter.
Noah, 32, missed the first 12 games of the season serving the remainder of a 20-game suspension for violating the league's banned-substance policy. He also spent time in the G League. But now back with the Knicks, he has hardly been noticed. He has played in seven games this season, starting none and averaging 5.7 minutes, 1.7 points and 2.0 rebounds per game.
One of the biggest hindrances when it comes to moving Noah will be his contract. The Knicks reportedly tried trading the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year in the offseason, but could find no takers thanks in large part to Noah's four-year, $72 million contract which still has two-plus seasons remaining.
Yahoo reported that the Knicks would also consider a buyout should no trade deal be reached.
The Knicks currently sit 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 22-28 record, four games out of the final playoff spot.
It is unknown if Noah will rejoin the team this week, according to the Yahoo report.
--Field Level Media
