NBA Rumors: New York Knicks Set To Part Ways With High-Salary Player?

The New York Knicks remain a team in transition and it's been a poorly kept secret that the front office will be making moves to free up salary-cap space to potentially land some marquee free agents. One such move could be coming sooner rather than later.

Citing sources, the Athletic's Shams Charania posted on Twitter that the Knicks are expected to part ways with Joakim Noah before training camp.

The veteran center signed a four-year deal in 2016 for $72 million, making his impending departure a major move to free up cap space. According to Spotrac, Noah was slated to earn $18.5 million in 2018-19 and $19.3 million in 2019-20.

There have long been questions as to how the Knicks would handle Noah and his bloated contract. The Knicks have reportedly sought a trading partner for Noah, but it has grown more likely that he will be waived to go along with a stretch provision that gives the payroll more flexibility. Such a move would mean New York saves $12.9 million for the summer of 2019 but would then take a $6.4-million cap hit the next two years.

Noah, who was selected to the All-Star Game in 2013 and 2014 as a member of the Chicago Bulls, has not fared well in New York. He has battled injuries the past two years and was suspended for 20 games for violating the league's anti-drug policy.

The 33-year-old defensive big man has played in just 53 games in two seasons with the Knicks, averaging 5.0 points in 2016-17 and 1.7 points in 2017-18.

The Knicks begin the preseason on Oct. 1. The regular season begins on Oct. 17.