The Knicks have officially announced that they have waived center Joakim Noah, with both Adrian Wojnarowski and Ian Begley of ESPN reporting that the club will utilize the stretch provision on his contract after failing to reach a buyout agreement.
The team also officially announced the release of Kadeem Allen and Jeff Coby, thereby bringing its roster down to 17 players, including two two-way players, in time for the beginning of the regular season.
We wrote in extensive detail about Noah’s situation a few days back, with Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News reporting that the Knicks would likely waive Noah when they set their 15-man regular season roster if and when the team was unable to find a deal to trade the veteran big man.
As Bobby Marks of ESPN notes, the Knicks will incur an $18.5M cap hit this season for Noah, which could be reduced by $522,252 if the center signs a guaranteed minimum salary contract elsewhere. For the next 3 seasons (2019-20 to 2021-22), the Knicks will be charged $6.4M per season.
Allen, a 2017 second-round draft pick by Boston, spent his rookie season on a two-way contract with the Celtics, but was waived earlier this summer before he signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Knicks. He could end up with the Westchester Knicks, New York’s G League affiliate, if he’s not picked up on waivers by another team.
Coby, 24, and a member of the Haitian national team, played four seasons in the Ivy League at Columbia before heading overseas and then going undrafted last year before signing with the Knicks earlier this month. He’s also a good bet to end up in Westchester.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
It’s about time
I bet Thibs I know who Thibs is on the phone with right now.
Does this mean Vohnleh is making the opening night roster?
Almost definitely.
One situation solved…any insiders know what’s up with Courtney Lee’s situation?
No situation that I am aware of. He injured his neck in practice and missed the entire preseason. He will be in the rotation when he returns, almost certainly off the bench.
Whoever the 15th guy is, the team’s FO deemed him more valuable than retaining other options with Noah’s contract through next summer. I have my doubts, but we’ll see.
Joakim isn’t going to play for Thibs under any circumstances. He’s most likely retired and going to live the good life in Maui as he has another $36 heading his way over the next few years.
$36 whole dollars?
Yeah, $36 dollars … you’re hilarious
New Poll, which comment was funnier?
A.) lukeski4..”$36 whole dollars?”
OR
B.) SilvioDante’s retort…”Yeah, $36 … you’re hilarious
I personally found both somewhat funny, reading Luke’s in a little kid’s “omg” tone, and read Dante’s with an incredibly sarcastic and irritated tone..lol
Come one, come all, don’t miss the opportunity to vote and have your voice heard!! Poll of the Year folks, let’s FINALLY help settle this historic rivalry!!
B
Spurs should take a look at Allen. Hes a good defender
Noah won’t retire, there is no financial incentive to do so, and he wanted to play basketball last year, so I imagine this year would be the same.
Would the Knicks have had a larger cap hold on him next summer had they not gotten rid of him until next year? Is there a benefit, minus opening a roster spot, short or long term to the Knicks by getting rid of him now?
Glad he’s gone though, dead baggage. Lee is a completely different story, still useful and will likely be a trade asset at some point during the season.
I’m sure Thibs will sign him. He still thinks it’s 2010-2011.
…….this is why we don’t let coaches be President’s of Basketball Operations. Because their love of “their guys” will ruin a franchise.
He’s not signing him. He has said so