Jeff Hornacek says the team will move on from Joakim Noah

The New York Knicks are electing to move on from former All-Star Joakim Noah. Noah and Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek got into a heated argument in late January. This led to Noah taking a leave of absence after the incident.

The New York Knicks are not looking to bring Joakim Noah back to the team this season. Noah and head coach Jeff Hornacek got into a verbal altercation at a practice in late January. Noah took a leave of absence from the team and has been away for three weeks. Per Hornacek, it was a mutual decision with both parties involved ready for a change.

"“We’ve moved on. He’s ready to move on and maybe have an opportunity somewhere else,” Hornacek said following the Knicks’ first practice after the All-Star break.Noah and the Knicks have mutually agreed that the veteran forward be away from the team indefinitely following a heated argument between him and the coach at practice in late January."

The entire episode stemmed from Noah’s concern over a lack of playing time in a Jan. 23 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Noah verbally engaged with Hornacek, to the point where both had to be separated. While according to Hornacek the plan was for Noah to only be out a short period of time, the team decided that this juice wasn’t worth the squeeze.

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The decision to move on from Noah may be the best decision. The team could utilize the stretch provision which would pay Noah only $7.5 million over the next five seasons. This is only if the team waives Noah. If not, Noah would be due $18.5 million for the 2018-19 season, and $19.3 million for 2019-20, Noah’s final year on his contract. Whichever way the Knicks swim, the team is still moving on from the situation. And at this point, that’s all that appears to matter to the organization.