Knicks place Noah on indefinite leave

The New York Knicks reached an agreement with center Joakim Noah for the 11-year veteran to be placed on indefinite leave, the team announced Friday.

The move was described as a mutual decision, and the 32-year-old big man will not return to the club until further notice.

Noah has been exiled from the Knicks since last Thursday following a dispute with head coach Jeff Hornacek, according to ESPN.

Noah got into a verbal altercation with Hornacek at practice, which prompted the team to explore ways in which to part with the two-time All-Star.

Noah was visibly upset when Hornacek pulled him in the fourth quarter of the Knicks' loss to the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 23. Noah yelled at Hornacek while coming off the floor and again while sitting on the bench, using expletives to express his displeasure about being removed from the game, league sources told ESPN.

His argument with Hornacek occurred the next day at practice.

According to the ESPN report, the Knicks and Noah's representation discussed his status Wednesday and agreed that he will stay away from the team until the Feb. 8 trade deadline. How the Knicks will proceed with Noah if they don't trade him remains to be seen.

One of the biggest hindrances when it comes to moving Noah will be his contract. The Knicks reportedly tried trading the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year in the offseason but could find no takers thanks in large part to Noah's four-year, $72 million contract which still has two-plus seasons remaining.

Former Knicks president Phil Jackson signed Noah to the deal in July 2016.

The Knicks might consider a buyout if Noah is not traded, but the 6-foot-11 center remains unmotivated to give back guaranteed money on his contract unless he has a clear shot to sign elsewhere as a free agent, according to ESPN. The Knicks are apparently unwilling to include draft picks or young players in any potential Noah deal.

Noah missed the first 12 games of the season serving the remainder of a 20-game suspension for violating the league's banned-substance policy. He also spent time in the G League. But with the Knicks, he has hardly been noticed. He has played in seven games this season, starting none and averaging 5.7 minutes, 1.7 points and 2.0 rebounds per game.