The New York Knicks are apparently doing everything possible to move on from the ill-fated Joakim Noah era. After feuding with head coach Jeff Hornacek, the Knicks have sent the veteran home until they can find either a trade partner or another avenue to jettison him from the organization.
Now comes this report from Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, citing a source close to the situation, that the Knicks would be willing to part with their 2018 first-round pick as a way to facilitate a trade.
New York had in the past pushed back against the idea of yielding an important young player to move Noah’s contract. The veteran is averaging less than six minutes in just seven games this season. The 32-year-old center is owed $37.8 million over the next two seasons, making a buyout more likely than anything else.
Though, if the Knicks were to offer up their first rounder in June’s draft, that could change a whole heck of a lot between now and next week’s trade deadline.
New York currently sits in the lottery at 23-29 on the season, making it possible that its selection could land in the top 10. In what promises to be a stacked draft class, that could be enticing to other teams with ample cap space.