Free agent center Joakim Noah has agreed to a one-year deal with the Memphis Grizzlies for the veteran's minimum, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Noah will travel to Memphis on Sunday and sign his contract early next week.
The Grizzlies (12-8) have targeted Noah as backup center and scouted his progress throughout the whole season.
Noah was waived, then stretched by the New York Knicks earlier this season, making the $37.8 million owed to him payable over the course of four seasons, with $18.5 million of them counting for the current 2018-19 cap.
The big man didn't generate much interest in the waiver wire, given his history of injuries that have handicapped his career, going from a former Defensive Player of the Year to a run-of-the-mill defender in his short stint in The Big Apple.
The Grizzlies have lost three straight games after winning seven of their former eight to climb to a two-way tie for the best record in the league.
Memphis has given the bulk of the work at center to starter Marc Gasol, as the trusty, but undersized JaMychal Green takes on the occasional backup duties.
It's unlikely that Noah will see heavy minutes at center just yet, but his workload should increase according to how he progresses through practice and day-to-day workouts after being out of action for nearly an entire NBA season.
Follow Us
Subscribe