The NBA trade rumors already show signs of some failed experiments and vanquished expectations and the New York Knicks took a lot of risks last summer.
Five years ago, acquiring Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah from the Chicago Bulls was unimaginable as they were two players who were at the top 5 of their positions. The Knicks got both of them in one summer but there was a reason for that-they simply aren't that good.
Still the curve for Derrick Rose was not as steep as Noah's. Trading for the former MVP, who is now an expiring contract was acceptable. Acquiring Noah was also an achievement but many questioned whether he will be a serviceable center for four years. Has the homecoming story of Noah worn its welcome?
Marc Berman of the New York Post has no chill when he implies that Noah was a liability.
"Coincidence or not, with Noah sidelined by flu-like symptoms, the Knicks have won their last two games vs. Atlanta and Portland - arguably their two best triumphs of the year," Berman declared.
Of course, there are a lot of factors that determine whether a team wins or not, and the presence (or absence) of one player should not be overstated. Still, Berman pushes the issue with the long term picture.
"The elephant in the room is whether Noah's contract will haunt Jackson for all four years, considering he already is struggling to find a niche other than rebounding (8.9 per game). The amnesty clause no longer exists and isn't expected in the new CBA. Noah is 31 and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said in September he's no longer 'a front-line center.'"
This would be very premature trade talk and it this piece, speculative and opinionated as it is, could simply be a motivation tool for their city's player. However, another issue with Noah is how he stands in the way of the development of Kristaps Porzingis instead of being an $18 million mentor (based on his 4-year, $ 72 million deal).
Porzingis has already poured in multiple 30 point performances early in the season. The Ringer acknowledges that he has given hope in Madison Square Garden. With the direction the NBA is going, Porzingis should be the center, but now, Noah occupies that spot.
A trade could be premature and Noah could be more useful in playoff situations-but can the Knicks get there? That remains the big question.