AT LAST: NOAH DUMPED BY KNICKS
Noah officially released
The Knicks officially released center Joakim Noah on Saturday, using the stretch provision to officially rid themselves of the worst signing in franchise history.
Sources said the delay was trying to get Noah to give up more money in a buyout because he can sign with another team for the $2 million veteran’s minimum.
The Knicks had to release Noah by Monday to get down to the maximum 15 players. Noah, who had $38 million left on his contract, was reluctant to give up any money on the remaining two years of his pact, claiming he has no clear destination. (In a similar situation, Luol Deng gave up $6 million to the Lakers in a buyout.)
The Post reported in March the Knicks would wait until after Sept. 1 to do the stretch-provision waiver to maximize their 2019 cap savings.
Using the stretch provision now will allow the Knicks to save $12.6 million in cap space in 2019, when they are positioning to open enough room for a max free agent. If the Knicks had kept Noah, the cap hit in 2019 would have stood at $19 million. Since that money will be stretched over three years (2019-21), Noah’s cap value instead reduces to $6.3 million.
Management didn’t believe Noah would be happy on this season’s roster because of a lack of playing time and the top aim not being the playoffs. Noah, through a spokesperson, declined comment.
The 33-year-old Noah wasn’t at training camp and hasn’t been with the Knicks since late January after an altercation with former coach Jeff Hornacek at a practice in Denver. Hornacek had pulled Noah during garbage time at Golden State after the former Bull had been promised he would play that night because of injuries.
Noah was then banished from the team for the remainder of the season. The Knicks felt they gave Noah a break by not suspending him and costing him money. The 2014 Defensive Player of the Year played seven games and 40 minutes last season.
Noah’s first year as a Knick lasted 46 games — he was beset by hamstring and groin injuries — and ended with a drug suspension.
Former team president Phil Jackson signed Noah to a fouryear, $72 million contract in July 2016, but his New York homecoming was marred by injuries, poor play and that drug suspension.
Noah could sign with Minnesota — where his former Chicago coach, Tom Thibodeau, is in power — but nothing is imminent. In fact, Noah doesn’t appear to have an exact destination.
By not carrying on the stalemate, the Knicks didn’t have to touch any of their 15 guaranteed or partially guaranteed contracts.
To get down to 15, the Knicks also waived GLeague-bound Jeff Coby, out of Columbia, and guard Kadeem Allen. In mid-December, the Knicks will decide whether to take undrafted Arizona guard Allonzo Trier off a two-way contract and make him part of the 15-man roster.