Joakim Noah is once again being surrounded by controversy as of late. The 32-year old center was suspended by the NBA for violating an anti-drug policy after a test was made on him. Will his suspension pave the way for him to be traded by the New York Knicks?
Joakim Noah, who was drafted by the Chicago Bulls as their 9th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, elected to sign with the New York Knicks last summer after nine seasons with the Bulls. He signed a massive four-year, $72 million contract to play for his hometown and join Bulls teammate Derrick Rose, who was traded by Bulls to the Knicks also last summer.
Many thought that the arrival of Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose will boost the roster of the New York Knicks led by Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis aside from reinvigorating their career. However, the two had been a disappointment for the team after suffering separate injuries that didn't help the campaign of the team. And now, Noah is facing another trial on his career.
According to ESPN, Joakim Noah gets a twenty-game suspension for testing positive for a substance found in a banned supplement he bought over-the-counter, as NBA announced last Saturday. The league suspension on Noah will start when he is "eligible and physically able to play." If ever Noah was able to play the eight remaining games of New York Knicks' schedule this season, he will serve the remaining twelve game suspension next season.
The substance found on Joakim Noah's over-the-counter supplement is called Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator LGD-4033, a drug which was already banned by the NBA under the CBA agreement. The National Basketball Players Association and Noah would not appeal the decision even they have a chance to contest it. Noah stated that he "did not intentionally or knowingly" ingest the supplement with a banned drug.
The New York Knicks had high hopes that Joakim Noah will strengthen their interior defense as he known for but expectations was not met as he only averaging 5.0 points and 8.8 rebounds this season. With a dismal performance, rumors are spreading that the Knicks might revive their interest of trading Noah to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Noah and the Timberwolves were already linked to a trade rumor last month before the trade deadline expires due to Noah's connection to Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau, his former coach with the Chicago Bulls.
Will the New York Knicks trade Joakim Noah this coming offseason?
