When the New York Knicks traded Robin Lopez and Jose Calderon for Derrick Rose, you knew that Phil Jackson was planning an eventful summer for the franchise. In an attempt to change the fortunes of a Knicks team that has been consistently struggling to make the playoffs since its last appearance in 2012. With Rose set to take a good chunk of the Knicks free salary cap, it limits them to be able to sign only one more max-deal player, or close to it. After trading their starting Center in Lopez, they are hoping to sign a free agent big man who they can put along side Kristaps Porzingis and Carmelo Anthony.
One player that has frequently been mentioned in rumors is free agent and Bulls Center Joakim Noah. Noah and Rose were very close when playing with the Chicago Bulls throughout their careers and now have a chance to reunite under a new system in New York. According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the Knicks are very interested in the former defensive player of the year, who is also very eager to set up a meeting:
The positive feelings the Knicks have toward Joakim Noah are mutual.
According to an NBA source, the Knicks have “a very high interest” in signing the 6-foot-11 Noah to play center in a frontcourt that would feature Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis. Another NBA source said Noah is eager for at least a sit-down with the Knicks.
As The Post reported, Noah, a New York City product, was in town over the weekend and went clubbing with Rose on Thursday night. Rose confirmed at his press conference Friday he was already in the process of recruiting Noah.
Despite their being reports that Noah will be receiving big money this summer elsewhere, the Knicks look like they are the number one contenders. New York is also interested in other big men as well, including Hassan Whiteside, Dwight Howard and Al Horford, but only Dwight has shown mutual interest in signing with the Knicks. Noah has been injury derailed over the last year, and especially under the new system ran by Fred Hoijberg, was shafted in the rotation. The Knicks will give Noah a chance at a redemption, with a team that has familiar faces like Rose, in the greatest city in the world, which makes for a great sales pitch.
