Knicks center Joakim Noah won’t be at Media Day on Monday as the Knicks center is still on the verge of being waived through the stretch provision, according to sources.
According to sources, the buyout should finally become official either Monday or Tuesday, and the Knicks’ exact cap savings will depend on how much Noah is leaving on the table. By removing Noah from the roster, the Knicks can officially sign former Columbia forward Jeff Coby to the 20-man training-camp roster.
In a similar contract, Luol Deng recently gave up $7.5 million of his package to the Lakers. Noah had been so excited to finish his career in New York, his hometown.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said one source close to Noah. “It’s like a divorce figuring out who gets what.”
If Noah gives up nothing, the Knicks would save $12 million in cap space for 2019. If he leaves $7 million on the table, the cap savings would be $13.2 million. Noah can probably make $5 million back in the next two years with the veteran’s minimum. Plus, the Knicks could have suspended Noah without pay for his dust-up in Denver with Jeff Hornacek.
After warring with Hornacek last January, causing his all-expenses-paid banishment, Noah connected this summer with new coach David Fizdale. It was agreed he wouldn’t be a good fit because he sought playing time and wanted to be part of a playoff contender.
Noah never came to Tarrytown in the offseason to work out for Fizdale, spending his time in Southern California. Noah and his four-year, $72 million contract will go down as arguably the worst free-agent signing in Knicks history.