Joakim Noah‘s season has taken another unfortunate development.

Just a few weeks after he received a 20-game suspension for violating the league's anti-drug policy, the New York Knicks center reportedly needs surgery to repair his rotator cuff. Should he go through with the procedure and recover without any setbacks, Noah will still be sidelined for four to six months before he can resume basketball-related activities again.

The 32-year-old Florida product last played in early February and has had a disappointing campaign, to say the least. After signing with the Knicks last summer, many thought he would turn out to be the center the team has longed for, and provide them with an inside presence against the league's perennial playoff contenders. However, he did not produce the numbers expected from him, only averaging 5.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 22.1 minutes per game.

With Noah still under contract with the team for three more years, the New York faithful are hoping he can put all his troubles this season behind him and play better once the 2017-18 campaign kicks off and the remaining 12 games of his suspension are served. He was a Defensive Player of the Year before and was also named an All-Star twice in his career, and if he can play close to that level, it will be a huge boost to the Knicks, who are looking to break their four-year streak of not making it to the playoffs next year.