New York Knicks to sign Joakim Noah in $72 million deal

First-year Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek and team president Phil Jackson made the center position a high priority entering free agency and within hours of the market open Friday had the framework of a four-year, $72 million contract with Joakim Noah.

Noah, 31, spent his entire career with the Chicago Bulls and could average $18 million per season.

He played only 29 games last season and has been prone to injury. Noah is not a strong shooter - 38.3 percent from the field last season -- but his passing skills are suited for the triangle offense that often positions pivot players in the high post. The Knicks are planning to keep "elements" of the offense Jackson used to win championships with the Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.

He's a high-energy rebounder and defender and given the number of shoot-first players the Knicks have collected - including acquiring Noah's former teammate Derrick Rose from the Bulls - but the durability questions loom large for the Knicks.

Chronic foot issues forced the Bulls to manage minutes and Noah missed at least 10 games five of the past seven seasons.

EARLIER:

Joakim Noah will soon be a New York Knick, multiple media outlets reported early Friday.

The free agent center, formerly of the Chicago Bulls, was close to an agreement on a four-year deal worth $70 million-plus, according to The Vertical. ESPN's Chris Broussard reported that contract will be worth $72 million.

The Vertical reported that Noah would fly from New York to Orlando, Fla., later Friday to meet with Knicks president Phil Jackson, and the sides were expected to be able to finalize the deal.

NBA free agency opened at 12:01 a.m. ET on Friday, though players can't officially sign contracts until July 7.

A move to New York would reunite Noah with former NBA Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose, who was dealt from the Bulls to the Knicks before the recent NBA Draft.

The Knicks were looking for a big man after sending center Robin Lopez to Chicago in the Rose trade.

Noah, 31, played in a career-low 29 games last season. He was out early in the season because of a left shoulder tear, then sustained a season-ending dislocation to the same shoulder in January.

He averaged a career-low 4.3 points to go along with 8.8 rebounds (his lowest average in eight years) and 3.8 assists (his lowest figure in five).

During his nine seasons in Chicago, Noah averaged 9.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 blocks per game.

Noah, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft after leading Florida to two NCAA championships, was the 2013-14 Defensive Player of the Year, and is a two-time All-Star.