Knicks Rumors: Joakim Noah Viewed As A Backup Player For Next Season

New York Knicks Rumors: According to sources, the Knicks plan to use Joakim Noah off the bench next season.

Recent New York Knicks rumors have revolved around Carmelo Anthony. Anthony has been in the middle of trade rumors as Phil Jackson leads a push to trade him. Now, we get a rumor about the future of the team, but not of the trade variety.

This time, it is about center Joakim Noah. The Knicks paid Noah lavishly as a free agent this past summer, as the sides agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal. Even though it is the first year of the deal, signing Noah for that kind of money looks like a bust.

Noah dealt with injuries the past two seasons with the Chicago Bulls. The Knicks had hoped that he could get healthy and return near the level he played at in 2013-14, when he won Defensive Player of the Year and finished fourth in the MVP voting.

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But, Noah has looked closer to the Noah from the last two seasons than from 2013-14. He has battled a number of injuries already with the Knicks, most recently having a hamstring force him from Friday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. In training camp, he also had a hamstring injury and he has fought through a shoulder injury most of the season.

It has resulted in a lackluster season overall. Noah is averaging only 5.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists in only 22.2 minutes per game. His shooting percentage is higher this season at 49.5, but his free throw shooting is an abysmal 43.6 percent.

With his diminishing skills, the Knicks are already planning ahead. According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the Knicks are viewing Noah as a backup center next season. Outside of releasing a player, that is as big an admission of failure as you can get in the NBA.

Despite his exorbitant contract, the Knicks plan on having Noah come off the bench next season. Noah would be lucky to make it through the remainder of this season as the starter, as the Knicks have two players, Kyle O’Quinn and Willy Hernangomez, that are more than capable of starting at center this season.

"“Obviously we got to get Billy (Hernangomez) more minutes, whether coming off the bench first, maybe starting him. We’re still looking at all that stuff,” Jeff Hornacek said. “Kyle gives us great minutes at times. You have to go with the flow and feel.”"

O’Quinn and Hernangomez have both outperformed Noah when given the chance. O’Quinn can help space the floor offensively and is aggressive rebounding. Hernangomez has surpassed all expectations in his rookie season and looks like a building block up front next to Kristaps Porzingis.

Hernangomez had performed whenever he was in the rotation, but that was happening sporadically. In January he has received more consistent minutes and responded with some monster performances, including six double-digit rebounding games.

While Noah has struggled, there are some things that he brings to the court that help the team, as Horncaek pointed out.

"“He does a great job of setting screens,” Hornacek said in defense of Noah. “He knows offense isn’t what he’s known for. But defense and setting screens and experience battling against some guys like Brook Lopez, a veteran guy with a lot of tricks. Jo knows all these tricks. I don’t think Brook drew a single reach out foul (Wednesday). He does a lot of good things out there.”"

Next: New York Knicks Midseason Grades: Center

Being the veteran that he is, Noah should be okay with any move that the Knicks do. He has received his money, now he wants to win. If that means moving to the bench and playing fewer minutes, so be it.

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