First Derrick Rose was traded from the Chicago Bulls to the New York Knicks, and now it looks like Joakim Noah will leave the Bulls and sign with the Knicks. From Tim Bontemps of the Washington Post:
“Multiple sources have told The Washington Post that Noah will almost certainly be joining the New York Knicks after free agency begins, with a starting salary somewhere in the $18 million per year range.”
It has been known for a while that the Knicks have been interested in Noah, and yesterday it was reported that the interest is mutual. He has received a lot of notice since the end of the regular season, being targetted by teams such as the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, and it was even reported that the Washington Wizards would offer him a max contract.
Earlier this month, he said that he would listen to every offer in free agency. That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, other teams don’t think they stand a chance when it comes to Noah:
Have heard the same lament from multiple interested teams tonight: They see New York as a big favorite to land Joakim Noah in free agency.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 30, 2016
The phrasing tends to be the same from every team we ask with Joakim Noah interest: We don’t have a chance because the Knicks are his choice
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 30, 2016
It is clear that Noah will reunite with Rose and go to New York. According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, Noah will meet with the Knicks soon after midnight on July 1st. They will likely discuss a contract, and hopefully come to an agreement that night.
Sources: Joakim Noah has set meeting with Knicks president Phil Jackson after midnight July 1. Significant traction on both sides.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2016
Noah plans to speak to Jackson, as sides gained focus on each other today, sources say. Noah would return to NY, reunite with Derrick Rose.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2016
