Photo Credit: MICHAEL REAVES/GETTY IMAGES
Frustrated Joakim Noah Leaves The New York Knicks
Joakim Noah arguably has the worst contract in the league right now.
In the summer of 2016, Noah singed the Knicks’ 4-year, $72 million offer sheet, even though people around the league knew about his injury problems.
Joakim Noah’s salary through the next three seasons (including the current season):
2017-18: $17,765,000
2018-19: $18,530,000
2019-20: $19,295,000
The former defensive player of the league has also been on the decline, long before signing the contract.
All of this led to Noah only playing 46 games in the 2016-17 season, while averaging an underwhelming 5.0 points, and 8.7 rebounds per game. He became the mirror image for the Knicks’ downfall, alongside former president of basketball operations, Phil Jackson.
Prior to this season, Noah wanted to rekindle his career and worked hard in the offseason. Well, unfortunately for him, without any success. Noah missed the first 12 games of this season because of a drug suspension and has only appeared in seven games, while averaging 1.7 points and 2.0 rebounds.
According to various reports, Noah is frustrated with his limited role and had a verbal altercation with head coach Jeff Hornacek during the Knicks’ game against the Golden State Warriors.
“According to a source close to the veteran center, Noah shouted at Jeff Hornacek after the Knicks head coach removed him in the fourth quarter against Golden State. Noah played just four minutes and 20 seconds.
“It didn’t look good,” the source said. “Joakim is obviously frustrated that he hasn’t been playing and then he finally goes in and he didn’t get much of a chance.”
(via New York Daily News)
This led to the French big man now taking a personal leave of absence from the team, according to multiple reports. If we believe Marc Berman of the New York Post, Noah left Denver “in a huff” Thursday morning.
“Joakim Noah left the Mile High City in a huff Thursday morning. Noah, who has been mostly inactive this year, will miss an undetermined amount of time as he takes a leave of absence, according to sources. One NBA source estimated it could be as long as a week.”
