Joakim Noah suspended 20 games for violating NBA drug policy

Joakim Noah has been suspended the rest of the season and beginning of next season

Joakim Noah will no longer be a part of the New York Knicks for potentially a large part of team’s future. The veteran center was suspended 20 games early this morning for violating the league’s drug policy. Reportedly, the reasoning for the suspension was Noah taking a banned over the counter substance.

For those curious, a drug that could get an NBA player banned for 20 games is most likely PED related. Reports are the over the counter supplement he took is similar to that of a steroid. Considering Noah has been injured for an extended period of time he likely tried to use the steroid as a means to heal quicker, but was unaware it was banned. This doesn’t feel malicious, but rather a very costly mistake on the part of Noah. New York must now deal with the consequences of it.

Typically, this type of suspension would be something that everybody just gets disappointed by and moves on. PED suspensions are rare in the NBA so when they do pop up it doesn’t usually cause the stir seen in other sports like baseball, but Noah’s situation is unique. He’s currently out with injury, on a long-term contract, and this season is almost over. His suspension doesn’t start until he’s been cleared medically. This means that Noah could potentially miss the rest of this season with injury and then have to serve his 20 games at the beginning of next season.

To say Noah has been disappointing in New York so far would be an understatement. Many have called the contract he signed with New York last summer the worst move of the offseason. As the Knicks try to figure out what they’re doing it wouldn’t have been too crazy to see them try to trade Noah, or maybe even waive him. However, with this 20 game suspension and that contract Noah’s become virtually untradeable until potentially next December. Just add it to the list in what has been a truly absurd Knicks season.