Ever since a discussion between New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek and Joakim Noah, the latter has been away from the team. Noah has only appeared in seven games this season, playing a grand total of 40 minutes as there were times where he would play over 40 minutes in a single game for the Tom Thibodeau-led Chicago Bulls just four years ago.
The Knicks' front office and Noah's camp have both looked at options to part ways at various points during the last year, but it does not look like that will happen anytime soon. The team was unable to move Noah before the trade deadline and if Noah does not reach a buyout agreement with the team by 11:59 P.M. this Thursday, he will be a Knick at least until the end of the season.
According to Stefan Bondy from New York Daily News, coach Hornacek said there are “no updates” on Noah's status with the team. As much as a number of playoff teams –including the Minnesota Timberwolves — are interested in signing Noah to a veteran's minimum deal for the remainder of the season, Noah has to get New York out of his way first. The only way to do this is agreeing to a contract buyout with the front office. Noah has two years and $38 million left on his current contract. Neither side wants to leave significant money on the table and if they do reach an agreement, it will probably come down to who speaks first.
At least the Knicks have another option, which is waiving Noah. However, this is highly unlikely due to the fact that waiving him will stretch his salary over the next five seasons. This will leave the Knicks with around $7.5 million less in cap space for five straight years, something they want to avoid at all costs.
If Noah does not reach a buyout agreement with the team by tomorrow midnight, the 10-year veteran has no incentive to do it later in the season, as he would be ineligible to play during the playoffs.
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