The Knicks reportedly planned to stretch Joakim Noah after Sept. 1 if they didn’t trade him. Waiting until September would allow them to eat his entire $18,530,000 this season.
Well, it’s a couple weeks into September, and Noah remains on New York’s roster.
What gives?
Shams Charania of The Athletic:
Sources: The Knicks and center Joakim Noah are expected to part ways before training camp; team has continued to work trade calls, although waiving and stretching Noah's contract looms as a route.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 14, 2018
This is a very patient approach to a very impatient move.
The Knicks will almost certainly stretch Noah. It’s unlikely they’ll find a trade partner without attaching sweeteners that would make the deal no longer worth doing.
Once stretched, Noah will count $18,530,000 against the cap this season then $6,431,667 each of the following three years. The Knicks would lose the ability to use his contract in a trade later or even keep him if they strike out in 2019 free agency, which would preserve space for 2020 and 2021.
If they waited until landing a free agent next summer, the Knicks could still stretch Noah with the same effect then.
Unless he agrees to a buyout, letting Noah leave now would mostly be a favor to him. He’s not in New York’s plans, and he surely doesn’t want to sit on the bench for the next year or two while waiting for a longshot trade or just to get waived later.
So, he can wait another couple weeks, though unfortunately, it doesn’t appear as if he’ll land with the Timberwolves.