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Free agent center Joakim Noah is reportedly eyeing a deal with the New York Knicks. The longtime Chicago Bulls standout might quickly reach a contract agreement Friday with the Knicks, both The Vertical and ESPN.com reported Wednesday night.
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NBA free agency opens at 12:01 a.m. ET on Friday, though players can't officially sign contracts until July 7.
Both websites reported that Noah will meet with Knicks president Phil Jackson shortly after the negotiating window opens. Other teams are interested in Noah, but they are viewed as unlikely to land his signature.
A move to New York would reunite Noah with former NBA Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose, who was traded from the Bulls to the Knicks last week.
The Knicks are in the market for a big man after sending center Robin Lopez to Chicago in the Rose trade.
Noah, 31, appeared in a career-low 29 games last season. He was out early in the season due to a left shoulder tear, then sustained a season-ending dislocation to the same shoulder in January.
He averaged a career-low 4.3 points a game to go along with 8.8 rebounds (his lowest average in eight years) and 3.8 assists (his lowest figure in five years).
Over nine seasons with Chicago, Noah averaged 9.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, three assists and 1.4 rebounds per game.
The No. 9 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft after leading Florida to two NCAA championships, Noah was the 2013-14 Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time All-Star.
