According to noted NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic, Joakim Noah has reached an agreement with the Memphis Grizzlies and will sign with them next week. As recently as November 19th, we had learned that both sides had entered discussions, but not until this afternoon can we say with certainty, that talks went over well.
Noah's last appearance in an NBA uniform is hard to even remember. With a little digging, I can tell you that he last played for the Knicks on January 23rd of this year. Around that time, Noah was averaging 1.7 points and 2.0 rebounds per game, accounting for 7 appearances total. His exclusion from the team was a bit disconcerting, but we later learned that he and then-coach Jeff Hornacek had butted heads. The team subsequently gave Noah a paid leave of absence, which they cited was done due to undisclosed "personal reasons." Not long ago, Joakim began documenting his travels away from the team. It sure looked like he was having a nice time.
All that aside, Joakim has been prepping for a return for some time now, after the Knicks granted him a severance package. He may not be the household name that once wreaked havoc on the defensive end of the floor, but under the right circumstances, Noah is a well-liked guy with a propensity for smart decisions on the floor. Barring any last minute issues, we wish Noah all the best in his return to NBA action.