https://t.co/QLAOKSrUhW

Joakim Noah hasn’t played since his 20-game PED suspension expired Saturday, and Marc Berman of the New York Post writes that the Knicks will probably waive the veteran center at some point and use the stretch provision on the final two years of his contract.

“We want him to be involved,’’ coach Jeff Hornacek said Wednesday after sitting Noah for the second straight game. “[He wants] to be involved. We don’t know when the time will come when he’s active.”

Hornacek’s dilemma is that he now has four centers competing for playing time. Enes Kanter, acquired in the Carmelo Anthony trade, has taken over the starting spot, with Kyle O’Quinn playing well as the backup. Willy Hernangomez is already upset about his reduced minutes after being part of the rotation last season.

Hornacek said it’s “possible” that he may find a way to use all four centers, but added, “I’m not looking to do that right away.’’

Any move with Noah probably won’t happen soon, Berman notes, as there is no advantage in terms of cap space in using the stretch provision now. The Knicks have a September 1 deadline if they want to take the $37.8MM Noah is owed for the final two seasons of his deal and stretch it over five years.
Noah would receive a little more than $7.5MM per season, giving New York roughly $11MM in extra cap room for next year and $12MM for 2019/20. The Knicks could opt to seek a buyout or waive him without stretching the contract, which would provide little to no cap relief over the next two seasons, but would remove his salary from the books by July of 2020.
Although Noah has minimal trade value, Berman mentions Timberwolves coach/executive Tom Thibodeau as someone who might be interested. Thibodeau coached Noah for several years in Chicago, including when he was a first team All-NBA selection in 2013/14.

For now, Noah is reduced to a mentor’s role in New York, working mainly with Kanter and Hernangomez. Hornacek said the NBA’s requirement that teams have an inactive list for each game makes it difficult to find playing time for Noah.
“It’s a tough spot,” the coach said. “He’s a great team guy. He sees how we’re playing. He’s still part of the team if inactive or not. He doesn’t want to rock the boat but he is competitive and wants to be out there to help us.”

BRIGGS wrote:Someone gets hurt and well beg to have him. For now just sit on it.

Co-signing this

I don't see how this is not a no brainer, everybody knew there was going to be a log jam at center/pf when the melo trade was complete. The sad part about it is None of them can stretch the floor, so you can never play any them together.

BRIGGS wrote:Someone gets hurt and well beg to have him. For now just sit on it.

If someone gets hurt, Noah will help them get in touch with his PED guy.
Did you forget we have a few of those Center thingys.

VCoug wrote:Unless we're stretching him this offseason to sign a specific player (and a very good one) that would be crazy. Better to just eat his contract instead of tacking on additional years.

Posturing by his agent Billy Duffy. Not sure what Duffy had to trade Berman to write this slanted article.

Notice it keeps keying on freeing up cap space for the next offseason, but does not focus heavily on the long term cap implications plus the players the Knicks have to resign as well.

Timberwolves want to move Gorgui Dieng. His contract is actually pretty ugly. If they move him, they want a guy who can back up the pivot and knows Thibs system on a veteran minimum contract. This way, Noah gets all his money and goes to a team where he will win and play an actual role. Of course nothing is in it for the Knicks.

Duffy also represents Isiah Hicks, who is a two way guy on the Knicks G League team, who of course Duffy will want promoted to replace Noah on the roster.

This is a pretty obvious hack piece.

What it's really saying without saying is Noah and his agent are willing to play the "contract long distraction" card if needed to get him stretched instead of a buyout. If he wants his freedom, he's gonna have to take a buyout and leave a good chunk of cash on the table.

BRIGGS wrote:Someone gets hurt and well beg to have him. For now just sit on it.

What are you Fonzi?? Ahhhh

reub wrote:Where does the article say that we're thinking of stretching Noah? I didn't see that in there.

it didn't say it anywhere... the article was going through options with Noah, which include stretching him

but you know how **** goes around here

newyorker4ever wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:

newyorker4ever wrote:I hate this idea and think it would be stupid to stretch him and pay him $7+ mil per for the next 5 years.

https://t.co/QLAOKSrUhW

Joakim Noah hasn’t played since his 20-game PED suspension expired Saturday, and Marc Berman of the New York Post writes that the Knicks will probably waive the veteran center at some point and use the stretch provision on the final two years of his contract.

“We want him to be involved,’’ coach Jeff Hornacek said Wednesday after sitting Noah for the second straight game. “[He wants] to be involved. We don’t know when the time will come when he’s active.”

Hornacek’s dilemma is that he now has four centers competing for playing time. Enes Kanter, acquired in the Carmelo Anthony trade, has taken over the starting spot, with Kyle O’Quinn playing well as the backup. Willy Hernangomez is already upset about his reduced minutes after being part of the rotation last season.

Hornacek said it’s “possible” that he may find a way to use all four centers, but added, “I’m not looking to do that right away.’’

Any move with Noah probably won’t happen soon, Berman notes, as there is no advantage in terms of cap space in using the stretch provision now. The Knicks have a September 1 deadline if they want to take the $37.8MM Noah is owed for the final two seasons of his deal and stretch it over five years.
Noah would receive a little more than $7.5MM per season, giving New York roughly $11MM in extra cap room for next year and $12MM for 2019/20. The Knicks could opt to seek a buyout or waive him without stretching the contract, which would provide little to no cap relief over the next two seasons, but would remove his salary from the books by July of 2020.
Although Noah has minimal trade value, Berman mentions Timberwolves coach/executive Tom Thibodeau as someone who might be interested. Thibodeau coached Noah for several years in Chicago, including when he was a first team All-NBA selection in 2013/14.

For now, Noah is reduced to a mentor’s role in New York, working mainly with Kanter and Hernangomez. Hornacek said the NBA’s requirement that teams have an inactive list for each game makes it difficult to find playing time for Noah.
“It’s a tough spot,” the coach said. “He’s a great team guy. He sees how we’re playing. He’s still part of the team if inactive or not. He doesn’t want to rock the boat but he is competitive and wants to be out there to help us.”

At least Phil gave us KP!

Stretch the poor bastard and put him out of his miseries. Although Fishmike may have a point. He still has value. As he is the perfect Triangle guy.

He has plenty of value. I'm one of the very few if any who think Noah can absolutely bring 20-25 productive minutes to this team. I'm just wondering where those minutes will come from as long as Kanter and KOQ are playing well. KOQ has gotten a little worse the last couple of games especially the Utah game but i think he'll still be fine. People are sleeping on what a healthy J.Noah can still bring this team not only on the court but on the bench and in the locker room.

I’m kind of in this camp. I can easily envision Noah being a fourth quarter guy like frank to escalate the D

Having said that I totally understand the dilemma given their numerous bigs and Noah’s age

Would be nice to trade him even for some overpaid wing (eg would it work w Turner)