Latest Update (April 27)

9:20AM: Joakim Noah had shoulder surgery on Wednesday to repair his right rotator cuff, the Knicks announced Thursday morning.

The surgery was performed by Dr. David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.

Jeff Hornacek told Ian Begley of ESPN that Noah's recovery time is approximately five months.

Marc Malusis and Jon Hein debate if Joakim Noah's deal was the worst contract in NBA history based on his playing time since.

Joakim Noah has been medically cleared by the NBA's independent doctor and will begin his 20-game suspension on Wednesday night, reports Ian Begley of ESPN.

Noah will miss the final eight games of this season and the first 12 of the 2017-18 season.

He said the substance that resulted in the suspension was not approved by the Knicks' medical staff and that he took it while rehabbing from an injury.

Jeff Hornacek hinted to reporters on Monday that the Knicks will be working on upgrading their defense during the offseason.

"I think if you look at our defense this year, we can use some more defensive players," Hornacek told Ian Begley of ESPN. "[Management] will look at that. [General manager] Steve [Mills] and [president] Phil [Jackson] and those guys will look at whatever can help us out. We know we need some help there."

New York has been in the bottom third of the NBA on defense throughout the entire season, which was a significant factor in the team missing the playoffs for the fourth straight season. However the Knicks will have a top-10 pick in this year's draft, and can have nearly $25 million in cap space to spend in free agency, depending on their decision on the future of Derrick Rose with the franchise.

The New York Knicks will re-evaluate forward Joakim Noah's status to see if he is medically cleared to practice and begin serving his suspension, head coach Jeff Hornacek said to Newsday's Laura Albanese prior to Monday's game against the Detroit Pistons.

Hornacek also said Carmelo Anthony will play after missing the Knicks' past two games with a sore left knee, while Lance Thomas will miss his third straight game with a sore right hip despite an MRI coming back clean.

The NBA suspended Noah 20 games for violating the league's anti-drug policy after he tested positive for a substance found in some over-the-counter supplements, however Noah, who has not played since Feb. 4 due to a left knee injury, won't begin serving the suspension until he is physically able to play.

The Knicks hope Noah can be cleared by Wednesday's game against the Miami Heat, according to ESPN's Ian Begley, meaning he would serve eight games of the suspension this season.

Knicks C Willy Hernangomez has been a soild offensive contributor but knows he needs to improve defensively.

"I have to be way more focused on defense," Hernangomez said Saturday, according to Al Iannazzone of Newsday. "I think from the beginning of the season right now I improved my defense, but it's not enough. One of the biggest things I have to work this summer is going to be my defense so next year I can defend [centers] and [power forwards]."

Hernangomez scored a career-high 24 points on Saturday while grabbing 13 rebounds in 36 minutes. He is averaging 7.5 points and 6.8 rebounds in 63 games this season, during what is his rookie campaign.

Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek said Hernangomez needs to be more assertive, citing a couple of plays from Saturday night's game...

Knicks center Joakim Noah was suspended for 20 games for violating the NBA's anti-drug program, the NBA announced on Saturday morning.

Knicks C Joakim Noah said he is walking without a limp and has started the rehabilitation process following last month's knee surgery, according to Al Iannazzone of Newsday.

Noah will begin strengthening work on Monday, Iannazzone said. The 32-year-old has not played since Feb. 4 and may miss the remainder of the season. He is expected to be re-evaluated this month.

He is upset with the way he's played this year and said it's frustrating to not be able to contribute at this point...

Keith Schlosser, SNY.tv

With the release of Brandon Jennings and a likely season-ending injury to Joakim Noah, Knicks have a newfound freedom to explore what this team could be like next season. There's room to acquire somewhat of a taste. Noah figures to be around, but his inability to play big minutes leaves a question mark around his pending impact. As for Jennings, New York had seen enough after signing him to a one-year deal. This simply wasn't the right fit for him.

Win or lose, New York needs to continue examining which of their already in place pieces are worth keeping moving forward. That's what the next month plus should be about. There's an opportunity to answer questions regarding the future. Will this stay of execution past the trade deadline prove Carmelo Anthony can take somewhat of a backseat and play a supporting role to Kristaps Porzingis? Derrick Rose still leaves something to be desired on the court, but does do some positive things. Can he still fit and be retained at a reasonable price this offseason? Which of the team's youngsters have the potential to flourish in an expanded roles? Here's a look at some opportunities that could prove to be small stepping stones for this team as they plan ahead.

Balanced point guard play: With Jennings in town, the Knicks had two offensively minded floor generals who both looked to score. He and Derrick Rose simply weren't the best match, despite how talented each one was. 

Keith Schlosser, SNY.tv

As hope of competing for a postseason spot fades away, the Knicks' focus will become making evaluations and building for next year. When management reflects upon this season's shortcomings, a failure to execute the triangle offense properly figures to always be a topic of conversation with Phil Jackson running the show.

Jackson's third full season as Knicks executive is nearing its end. He's had plenty of opportunities to make judgement calls and usher in the players he believes best fit his desired system. At some point (perhaps the team has already reached it), he won't be able to point fingers anymore. Should players be poor fits or not be producing, that says more about Jackson than it does them. It's a reflection upon his inability to put together a successful team. It's time to look in the mirror.

Such a mentality is also worth noting, not only as he evaluates his players, but the coaching staff as well. With a 24-36 record, the Knicks are currently worse off now than they were at this point in the season last season. Jeff Hornacek is not at fault.

Following the release of guard Brandon Jennings and a possible season-ending injury to Joakim Noah, New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek said the team is not tanking to get a better slot in the NBA draft lottery.

Speaking to the media before Monday's game against the Toronto Raptors, Hornacek told reporters he thought the Knicks could still contend for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference despite cutting Jennings and losing Noah for an extended period of time due to arthroscopic surgery.

Hornacek "bristled at the notion" that cutting Jennings, which the Knicks did Monday morning, was a sign of the team tanking, according to Newsday's Al Iannazzone. Rather, it was a mutual decision, according to the New York Post's Marc Berman.

Jennings reportedly told management he wanted to play for a playoff contender this season, however he did not ask for a waiver or to be traded, according to Berman.

Keith Schlosser, SNY.tv

By the time NBA All-Star Weekend came to a close, there was refreshing optimism in the air surrounding the Knicks. Carmelo Anthony and Willy Hernangomez were late additions to the festivities. Kristaps Porzingis went home a winner after snagging the trophy at the Skills Challenge. Following the passing of the trade deadline, New York stood pat. After a spirited Cleveland loss and an exhilarating win against the 76ers, signs led to the Knicks wanting to remain competitive, for better or worse.

But alas, reality has begun to set in. Waiving Brandon Jennings may be the domino effect for the tone of the rest of the season. The dust probably hasn't cleared. More changes could be on the way. It's time to look towards the future, build towards the draft, embrace and explore more youthful talent, etc. With that in mind, here's a look at the Knicks will face in the week ahead and beyond.

Defensive Communication: The Knicks' defense has been a raw source of frustration for this team all season long. Frankly, it's a bit strange to see a squad that added players like Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee, and Willy Hernangomez in the offseason struggle on that end of the floor. Clearly, putting up a consistent effort on defense had been an initial priority. Such a plan hasn't come to fruition.

Knicks C Joakim Noah had arthrosopic surgery on his left knee on Monday and will be reevaluated in three-to-four weeks, the team announced.

He is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to the surgery, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported.

Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek said Noah could potentially return before the season ends, but didn't seem optimistic, reports Ian Begley of ESPN.

With Joakim Noah set to miss his eighth straight game on Monday, Knicks rookie C Willy Hernangomez will likely get another start.

Hernangomez has performed well as of late, starting the last four games and averaging 10.5 points and 9.5 rebounds on 58.6 percent shooting in 27.9 minutes. However the 22-year old is still getting accustomed to playing in the NBA.

"Sometimes, I think too much," Hernangomez said to Fred Kerber of the New York Post. "So I need to let my body just play. Let my mind play. I think too much, like if I miss a shot."

Willy Hernangomez, who has been starting at center for the Knicks with Joakim Noah out, had another good game during Thursday night's loss to the Cavaliers.

Hernangomez had 11 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in 27 minutes.

He turned the ball over just once and committed three personal fouls.

Joakim Noah, who tweaked his hamstring in practice prior to the All-Star break, missed practice on Wednesday, the Knicks said.

Courtney Lee (illness) also missed practice.

Noah's injury will cause him to miss Thursday's game against the Cavaliers, Newsday's Barbara Barker reported earlier this week...

Keith Schlosser, SNY.tv

With the NBA still coming off its All-Star Weekend, the Knicks have not played since losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder last Tuesday. But alas, the late additions of Carmelo Anthony and Willy Hernangomez to the weekend's festivities gave the team's fan base a little bit more to be excited about and invested in as things went on in New Orleans. 

When just about everyone in the NBA world collides for a few days, talk about the Knicks is never too far away. Speculation regarding the team's future, especially with the trade deadline steadily approaching, is running ramped as we speak. With that in mind, here are three things to ponder around this team in the week that follows.

C Joakim Noah will miss his fifth consecutive game on Wednesday, according to Ian Begley of ESPN.

Noah has been out with a hamstring injury since leaving the game against the Cavaliers early on Feb. 4. 

C Willy Hernangomez will start at center against the Thunder.

Former Knick Greg Anthony, who spent four seasons in New York as a teammate of Charles Oakley, believes players will look at the Knicks in a different light because of the recent treatment of Oakley and Carmelo Anthony.

"It sure as hell ain't gonna help..." said Anthony in an interview with Business Insider. "It's one thing to have your struggles on the court, but this is kind of becoming a domino effect where everything that can go wrong is going wrong for the organization. And it creates a tremendous distraction for the players that are still battling and fighting and figuring out a way to get into the postseason."

The Knicks are facing a rebuild, something the franchise has historically not done slowly through the draft. This past offseason, New York traded for Derrick Rose, while committing over $120 million to Joakim Noah and Courtney Lee in an attempt to improve the team quickly. Anthony believes the situation involving Oakley will not do the team any favors in trying to attract free agents in the future.

Keith Schlosser, SNY.tv

On pace to miss the NBA postseason for the fourth straight season, Carmelo Anthony knows what losing is all about. Since the Knicks won the Atlantic Division title back in 2012-13, Anthony has slowly but surely seen all of the talented veterans from that successful squad depart the Big Apple. In turn, the spotlight casts its shadow more and more on the star forward. Anthony has been unable to deliver since then.

Things are finally appearing to come to a head with New York shopping Anthony more aggressively than ever before. The team is motivated to deal him, as the vision with him leading the Knicks back to the promise land hasn't come any closer to fruition. As Anthony watches his closest friends and NBA counterparts chase and successfully capture NBA titles, he's arguably as far as he's ever been from one. This means it's time for a change all around. Nevertheless, Phil Jackson hasn't done himself or the team any favors. This organization has a negative vibe around it and the executive's recent comments and respective actions certainly haven't made things any easier for Anthony. 

Unfortunately for the Knicks' future, Anthony may not be the only one suffering from this lack of positive culture. New York is motivated to shop Anthony, not only because things haven't worked out, but because they have a beacon of light in Kristaps Porzingis to turn to next. Still, this slow transition and negative atmosphere can't be doing the budding superstar any good. Anthony obviously has more experience with this by now, but Porzingis too is getting used to losing. Through a season and a half, the young gun's Knickerbockers have gone 54-82. He's already been mentored by three head coaches. Teams have been known to change players from one season to the next: it's relatively normal. Nevertheless, after drastically changing the makeup of last year's squad, the revolving door would appear likely to keep swinging, given this season's shortcomings. More changes are coming.

While the drama between Phil Jackson and Carmelo Anthony has caused the Knicks to look for a trade for their star player, superfan and legendary director Spike Lee made it very clear which of the two he would rather have stay in New York.

"I'll pack Phil's bags for him," Lee told ESPN.

The latest Jackson-Anthony tension stems from a tweet Jackson sent on Tuesday that referenced a Bleacher Report article that was critical of Anthony. 

Latest Update (Feb. 6)

5:20 p.m.: Knicks PG Derrick Rose will return from a four-game absence when New York hosts the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden on Monday night.

Joakim Noah will miss Monday's game due to a hamstring injury. Kyle O'Quinn will start in place of Noah, according to MSG's Rebecca Haarlow.

Keith Schlosser, SNY.tv

Looking back, the Knicks are currently nowhere near where anyone thought they'd be. Carmelo Anthony is facing a fourth straight year without a playoff appearance. With his own fate/success as an executive seemingly tied to that of his team's star forward, Phil Jackson has failed amid the continued pressure to put a consistent product on the court. He went all in last summer, spending on veterans and proven contributors. New York's inability to meet expectations has led to trade speculation all around, which ultimately prevents this group from creating and maintaining the positive culture Jackson aspired to develop.
 
All of this has given way to a very underwhelming 6-19 record in 2017. The Knicks had to put forth a really strong comeback effort just to defeat the 9-40 Nets last week. Here's a look at some of the questions facing New York as they look for stability.

Carmelo Anthony was not mad about being benched during the fourth quarter of Wednesday's game against the Nets, head coach Jeff Hornacek said Saturday.

"He was happy for the guys. The guys were playing well," Hornacek said, according to ESPN New York's Ian Begley. 

The Knicks rallied in the fourth quarter, largely due to the efforts of the bench players.

Keith Schlosser, SNY.TV:

The NBA trade deadline is less than a month away, which gives the Knicks a limited amount of time to explore and pull the trigger on a blockbuster deal involving Carmelo Anthony. 

While they could certainly wait until the offseason, moving Anthony sooner than later would give the team a clear direction as they start fresh and look toward the NBA Draft.

Keith Schlosser, SNY.TV:

Joakim Noah has finally found more consistency rebounding the ball and hasn't played up to his former disappearing act as of late, and the Knicks also want to experiment more with Kristaps Porzingis at the center position. 

The above developments sensibly limit Willy Hernangomez's opportunities, but he's still making the most of them. As he continues to do so, Kyle O'Quinn's minutes have decreased. It's not as if he is playing poorly, but Hernangomez has just been too good to ignore.

Keith Schlosser, SNY.tv

With a 3-9 record in 2017, the Knicks certainly aren't looking like the contenders Phil Jackson intended to build them to be last offseason. Still only three games out of a playoff spot, there's still plenty of time to make a worthwhile run. Nevertheless, momentum hasn't been in the team's favor for a number of reasons.

Thus, decisions need to be made. Is it worth scrapping together an effort to squeeze in as the eight seed, in effect losing out a solid draft pick to help build upon the future with? The players may appreciate some clarity one way or another.

Some players are assets that can be moved. For those that can't be dealt seamlessly, it's up to the Knicks to utilize their talents full on and go from there. Here's a look at a few things effecting the current state of the Knicks. 

Kristaps Porzingis had 15 points and five rebounds in 29 minutes in his return during Thursday night's 113-110 loss to the Wizards at Madison Square Garden.

Porzingis, who has been dealing with an Achilles injury, was seeing his first game action since Jan. 11.

He received results of an MRI on Thursday, which revealed no structural damage in the Achilles.

Latest Update (Jan. 19)

6:00PM: An MRI confirmed no structural damage to the left Achillies of F Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks announced Thursday evening.

Porzingis will be available for tonight's game.

C Joakim Noah's MRI confirmed a sprained left ankle, and the center will not suit up for tonight's game.

With the injured Kristaps Porzingis and Joakim Noah out, Derrick Rose scored 30 points during Wednesday night's 117-106 win over the Celtics.

Rose added 10 rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and two steals.

"Teammates were giving me the ball and wanted me to take the shots and told me to be aggressive and they called by number," Rose said, according to the NY Post. "We didn't fuss while we were on the floor. We've been talking about playing this way the last 10 to 15 games. There's been ups and downs, mostly downs. Hopefully a win like this can spark something."

The Knicks could bench Joakim Noah and shift Kristaps Porzingis to center to start in Noah's place, head coach Jeff Hornacek suggested.

"We're going to look over that," Hornacek said after Monday's loss to the Hawks, according to the NY Daily News. "Maybe mix it up a little bit more."

Noah had seven points and 17 rebounds during Monday's loss.

Keith Schlosser, SNY.TV:

The Knicks are still losers of 11 out of their last 13 games, but they've broken the seal on the new year with 2 wins in 2017. There's a long way to go and New York has to make a run rather quickly if they want to prove they can compete before decisions need to be made.

Will this team become a seller closer to the trading deadline? Will they start to explore trades for Carmelo Anthony and their other long-term contracts in the coming weeks and into the offseason? This all remains to be seen.
 
There's an overcast of uncertainty surrounding this team, but head coach Jeff Hornacek's bold move against the Atlanta Hawks worked wonders. Ron Baker and Mindaugas Kuzminskas both provided tremendous energy. As Courtney Lee moved to the bench and the duo found success, it was a message to other starters (or key members of the rotation) that they could be next if they're not performing. 
 
Let's take a look at some of the other more pressing issues facing the Knicks..

TNT Basketball analyst Brent Barry told the NY Post that Joakim Noah is a terrible fit for the Knicks and that Carmelo Anthony should ask to be traded.

"I was a little bit shocked,'' Barry said about the Knicks signing Noah to a four-year deal worth $72 million this offseason. "Who else was bidding for Noah's services? Maybe Washington. It was an interesting gamble in the sense the last couple of years he had not been healthy."

Barry added that Noah doesn't fit in Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek's system.

New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose left the team without permission for Monday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans to deal with what he told teammates as a family issue back in Chicago, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

Rose's absence, which surprised several teammates and temporarily went unaccounted for, could possibly lead to a suspension and may have cost himself long-term job security with the Knicks, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Head coach Jeff Hornacek did not specify why Rose was not with the team for the Knicks' 110-96 loss, even after teammate Courtney Lee said Rose, who has played in 33 of 38 games this season, was at shootaround before the game, according to ESPN's Ian Begley. The Knicks' full statement during the game, according to Deadspin, was, "He's not with the team."

Keith Schlosser, SNY.TV:

Currently in the midst of a 1-7 stretch, there's reason for the Knicks to be concerned about their season. No longer looking like a contender, their playoff hopes are in serious doubt.

After spending big on players like Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee, and others last summer, this season was supposed to be different. Instead of remaining patient and building around a budding star in Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks instead surrounded Carmelo Anthony with the talent necessary to make a competitive push sooner than later.

Tommy Dee, SNY.TV:

As we've talked about here several times, Phil Jackson is actively working the phones hoping to find a situation that upgrades the Knicks' roster from a talent perspective without giving away too many assets in return. 

Several teams have emerged as potential trade matches

The New York Knicks are looking into trading for Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker, according to ESPN's Ian Begley.

Nothing is imminent, however there are some people within New York's front office that called Tucker a possible trade target, according to Begley.

Tucker, 31, is averaging 6.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in 36 games with Phoenix this season, but Begley notes Tucker's defensive RPM (22nd among 80 qualified small forwards) as a reason why the Knicks would have interest.

Keith Schlosser, SNY.TV:

It's been nearly two weeks since the Knicks won a game. Prior to entering what's currently a five-game losing streak, the team's 16-13 record gave them good early playoff standing, and there was reason to be optimistic. But an inability to hold their own against the more competitive teams in the league has been a glaring weakness all season long.

Included in this recent skid are losses to teams like the Celtics and Rockets. Beyond that, however, the Knicks have failed to prove themselves as a contender by not taking care of business against seemingly weaker teams.

At this point, the reasons why the bleeding has continued are abundantly clear. It's up to everyone involved -- the front office, coaching staff, and players -- to put a stop to it before it's too late. Here's a look at three of the more pressing issues...

Tommy Dee, SNY.tv:

I agree with Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek, who when asked repeatedly Monday night about the team's effort laughed off the idea that the team "hasn't been trying" during their five game losing streak.

Questioning effort is an attack on a team's professionalism and I don't think that's the case here. I truly believe it's a matter of teams feeling far too comfortable with what they see from the Knicks defensively and the simple understanding that if they can hone in and make shots, it will keep the Knicks out of transition where they like to get easy baskets.

In the last five games, starting with a loss at home Christmas Day against the Celtics, the Knicks have faced four teams -- Boston, Atlanta, New Orleans, and Houston -- that primarily run their offense through a PG/C pick-and-roll and surround the perimeter with three point shooters. This is the offense made famous by Mike D'Antoni in Phoenix and later in New York. This offense puts heavy pressure on the defense, with PG driving action causing defenders on the perimeter to help.

Keith Schlosser, SNY.TV:

It's still early, but the Knicks nevertheless have good standing in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. There's optimism in the air, but still vast room for improvement. New York has lost four of its last six contests, and their inability to keep up with the Celtics on Christmas Day exposed many weaknesses. 

As the Knicks look to contend, they'll need to take care of business against the stronger teams of the league. Here are three of the other more pressing issues the team has faced as of late...

The Knicks' defensive effort this season has been poor, and that was evident Sunday during their 119-114 loss to the Celtics.

"It was all defense, the way I look at it," Rose said about the loss, according to Ian Begley of ESPN. "We didn't communicate well."

The Knicks outscored the Celtics in the third and fourth quarter, but couldn't overcome the large deficit that was a result of them being outscored 34-20 in the second quarter.

Tommy Dee: SNY.TV:

Heading into Tuesday night's game against Indiana at Madison Square Garden, Joakim Noah is still confident things will work out despite his underwhelming play that has faced serious criticism.

What's been obvious to me in watching the team play is that Noah and Courtney Lee -- the player Noah helped recruit here -- have had trouble clicking in the lineup together. Noah seemingly has more chemistry, and the team does as a whole, with Justin Holiday instead of Lee at the shooting guard position. 

Joakim Noah only played 11 minutes and scored two points in the Knicks' 127-114 loss, with coach Jeff Hornacek telling reporters afterward that keeping the big-money center in the starting lineup is "something we have to keep our eye on."

Kristaps Porzingis thinks he can help recruit free agents to the Knicks, he told reporters.

"I think (I'll recruit players), yeah," he said. "Of course, you want to build a team around you so you can win, so you can go all the way and win the championship one day. Of course, that's on everybody's mind, I think, that's in a position to do that."

Porzingis, 21, is averaging 20.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 25 games this season.

Knicks president Phil Jackson has settled into his life away from Los Angeles and his competitive fire is lit, writes Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report.

"Jackson's competitive fire is fully aflame now that the Knicks are on the upswing-they are 14-11 and have won 11 of their past 16 games entering Thursday night against the Golden State Warriors-but it's more than just feeling better about his work," says Ding.

"Jackson has settled into life away from Los Angeles and fiancee Jeanie Buss, exploring the varied non-basketball interests to which New York caters. Jackson is connecting over lively card games or stimulating dinner conversations with friends who knew him before he was famous, feeling the energy of the city."

No Noah, no problem. The Knicks have gone on 4-0 without Joakim Noah, but there's no denying having him rise up and be the player New York is hoping he can be would pay dividends rather quickly. 

Unfortunately, he hasn't been that player since (at the very most recent) the 2014-15 season. The player the Knicks have acquired looks like a shell of his former self. Of course, he's provided flashes of intrigue, physicality, and toughness here and there.

Noah's vision on offense is among the best for centers in the NBA. With a bevy of tip-backs when crashing the glass, Noah continues to create second-chance opportunities. On defense, he plays an excellent mental game and can frustrate opponents. 

Noah hasn't been able to do this on a consistent basis. He's missed games and New York has proven to be successful without him already. His absences have forced the Knicks to get into a different rhythm -- one that works without him on the floor. When inserting Noah back in, such cohesion often looks lost.

Joakim Noah will remain out on Friday night against the Timberwolves due sprained left ankle, the team announced. 

He was also out on Wednesday night due to the ankle injury.

Courtney Lee will also be unavalable on Friday night.

Lance Thomas, who has been dealing with a bone bruise in his ankle, will be available.