Knicks Rumors: Joakim Noah Recruited Courtney Lee
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, it was Joakim Noah who recruited Courtney Lee to the New York Knicks.
Less than 48 hours into free agency, the New York Knicks have completed the construction of the 2016-17 starting lineup. New York traded for 2011 NBA MVP Derrick Rose in June, thus addressing the void at point guard.
New York made its first splash in free agency by agreeing to terms on a four-year deal worth $72 million with center Joakim Noah.
Knicks and Joakim Noah have officially agreed on a 4 year $72 million deal after meeting in Orlando tonight https://t.co/zqauJFWmOC
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 2, 2016
Less than 24 hours later, Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders reported that the Knicks had agreed to terms on a four-year deal worth $50 million with shooting guard Courtney Lee.
Courtney Lee has agreed to a four-year, $50 million deal with the Knicks.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 2, 2016
It was later reported that Lee had agreed to a four-year deal worth roughly $48 million, and not the previously stated $50 million deal.
Regardless of which financial figure is correct, Lee is a DeAndre Jordan-esque backtracking away from joining the Knicks. He’s all but guaranteed to start in 2016-17, and should be a positively influential member of the starting lineup.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Knicks fans can thank Noah—yes, the Noah who agreed to terms less than 24 hours ago—for his help in facilitating the signing of Lee.
"Lee’s deal with the Knicks “would not have happened without Joakim Noah,” a source close to Lee told Begley. Lee had several offers to decide from and chose New York in part because of Noah’s recruitment.“Courtney understands what playing for the New York Knicks means,” the source said. “He wanted to play in New York and Joakim Noah was instrumental in recruiting him. Would not have happened without Joakim. Courtney couldn’t be more excited.”"
Camaraderie and accountability are all but guaranteed to be principles of this Knicks team’s identity.
The Knicks have built a starting lineup flush with long-time veterans who have all been close to winning a championship. Of the five starters, four have been to the Eastern or Western Conference Finals.
Lee reached the 2009 NBA Finals, while Anthony made the 2009 Western Conference Finals, and Noah and Rose led the Chicago Bulls to the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals.
Thus, the culture New York has built is one that features veterans who want nothing but a championship. Statistics no longer matter to this group of players, as they’ve already earned their reputations and money.
All that’s left to earn is a ring. 11-time NBA champion Phil Jackson would seem to believe that this roster can make significant progress towards achieving that goal.
To put the long-term thinkers at ease, the Knicks will develop future franchise player Kristaps Porzingis by surrounding him with hungry and unselfish veterans who value victory above all else.
must read: The latest updates on all of the Knicks' free agency decisions!
In other words, the future is much brighter in New York than it’s been in quite some time.