The New York Knicks and Joakim Noah have a bit of a problem.
While Noah has been largely out of the rotation with the Knicks, it's been widely speculated that he was not in the team's future plans. But because of his very expensive contract, Noah has been in limbo for practically the entire season.
Noah has played in only seven games this entire season, and now, per Ian Begley of ESPN, is completely away from the team after a disconnect between him and Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek.
Sources tell @wojespn and me: Joakim Noah left the team late last week after a lengthy disconnect with Jeff Horancek and the coaching staff. Noah has no inclination to give back significant money on his contact in any buyout.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 29, 2018
It gets somewhat worse. It appears Noah will not come back to the team until there is some kind of solution made on his future with the team, per Begley.
Sources tell @wojespn and me: Status quo on Joakim Noah’s situation w/Knicks. Noah is away from the team working out and awaiting the Knicks to deliver him direction on the next steps. There have been no conversations about a buyout on the 3 yrs, $56 million left on his deal.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 29, 2018
The idea that Noah won't give up money for a buyout is understandable, but risky at the same time. There could be a team that picks up him up and gives him a legitimate chance to play minutes or even help if it's a contending team.
But because of this statement between Noah and the Knicks, both sides are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Noah should not give up too much money in the buyout, but he should also understand the position of the organization at least somewhat.
During much of his time in New York, Noah has not been the same player he was when he played for the Chicago Bulls. It's left the Knicks with little options because of the big contract they paid him.
This solution has to be solved fast for the best interest of all parties involved.