The New York Knicks appear committed to signing free agent center Joakim Noah as soon as possible. Shortly after free agency began at midnight ET on Friday, The Vertical's Shams Charania reported that the two sides were working on a four-year deal worth more than $70 million. The deal is not done, but it might not be far off, either:
The Knicks and Noah plan to meet in Orlando on Friday to continue negotiations, sources tell The Vertical. Framework needs to be finalized.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2016
, and it would represent not just a homecoming for Noah, who grew up in Hell's Kitchen, but an opportunity to continue playing with guard Derrick Rose. Noah and Rose have been teammates since the Bulls drafted Rose first overall eight years ago.
The upside for New York: In 2014, Noah won Defensive Player of the Year and finished fifth in MVP voting. If he comes close to that level of play with the Knicks, this is a bargain.
The risk: Noah's last two seasons have been derailed by knee and shoulder injuries. He's 31 years old, and there's no guarantee that he'll be able to produce the way he used to. This is a rather significant gamble, and it takes away some of New York's financial flexibility. The team needs to add a wing player and depth in free agency, too.
