12:11pm: The Knicks have confirmed that Noah has a rotator cuff injury, clarifying that the injury is to his right shoulder. While team doctors have recommended surgery, a final decision has yet to be made and an official recovery timeline hasn’t been determined, according to the team (Twitter link).
8:35am: Joakim Noah‘s nightmare first year in New York has taken another unfortunate turn, with Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reporting that the veteran center will require surgery for a torn left rotator cuff. The injury is expected to keep Noah sidelined for the next four to six months, which could jeopardize his training camp availability in the fall.
Noah, 32, signed a four-year, $72MM+ contract with the Knicks last summer and struggled to produce for his new team this season, averaging 5.0 PPG and 8.7 RPG in 46 games (all starts). As NBA.com’s advanced stats show, the Knicks had a -6.0 net rating with Noah on the court, compared to -3.5 when he was on the bench.
In addition to his underwhelming play on the court, Noah has suffered a handful of other setbacks in the last two months. He underwent a left knee arthroscopy in February and then received a 20-game suspension in March for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program. The Knicks center served eight games of that suspension this season, meaning he’ll have to serve the remaining 12 next season, once he’s ruled healthy enough to play following his shoulder surgery.
Noah’s contract, which has $55MM+ left on it for the next three years, looks like an albatross, but it would be a little surprising to see the Knicks make any drastic moves with it this summer.
If the team were to waive Noah and stretch his deal, that leftover salary could be spread out over seven years, with an annual cap charge of just under $8MM. That would create about $10MM of extra cap space for the next three years, but would add four extra years of cap hits for Noah, impacting the Knicks’ long-term flexibility. New York may prefer to wait and see if Noah can bounce back somewhat in 2017/18.
what a disaster. He will never live up to that contract. Total rebuild needed
He actually can, he was out for 2 years cut the guy some slack. Theres no way Willy should start over Noah next season, i dont care how good he is on offense Noah can impact a game way more with his defense and energy. The Knicks dont need scoring they need a system everyone is on the same page with and Rose and Melo to leave. Bring in Fox, sign Tucker and Gay.
You see it, the New York club for another bad news. I can not to know if the team can to make it the playoff next season. Such the shame.
When will owners realize that Hall of Fame coaches (Phil ) don’t necessarily make good GM’s comma and Hall of Fame or great players (Jordan, Mullin, strAinge, McHale…)don’t necessarily make good GM’s or coaches.
Danny Ainge is the best current Gm in the league not gonna lie
Did u see the celtics team he built a one seed young team out of?
Where and how did he even sustain this injury? Did he have it all year?
The Knicks’ statement today suggests he’s been dealing with it (in some form) since January.
Just retire. The knicks need him to walk away.
His absence is a blessing.