Is Derrick Rose already trying to make extra-nice with Knicks free-agent target Joakim Noah?
The Rose recruiting may have already started as Rose and Noah, former Bulls teammates, were hanging out late Thursday at the 1Oak club in Manhattan. Rose will be introduced at a Knicks press conference Friday at 4 p.m. at the Garden.
According to a source, Rose arrived at the club at about 3 a.m. and hung out with Noah, who was already there. They were known to be tight as teammates in Chicago.
“Oh, I want him. He knows that. I think his family knows that,” Rose said Friday at his Knicks intro. “Even last night, I was talking to him about it. He’s in a position where he got injured twice last year, it was his contract year and he has to figure out what he wants to do.”
The 6-foot-11 Noah, a New York City product whose father is former French tennis star Yannick Noah, is a free agent and likely to leave the rebuilding Bulls. Knicks president Phil Jackson always has admired Noah’s tenacity. According to a source, Jackson likes his leadership ability as well as his defensive grit and ability to pass — which would fit well in the triangle.
Noah is said to have interest in coming back to his hometown, but money could be an issue. The Knicks have $30 million-plus in cap space, pending what cap holds they have on their own restricted free agents. The Wizards are reportedly very interested and could offer Noah the max, which could start at $26 million. Noah has had foot, knee and shoulder issues.
Jackson is trying to divide his cap space because he still needs to sign a starting shooting guard and at least a backup point guard.
Jackson has just five players under contract after the Rose trade in which he sent out starting center Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant and Jose Calderon — all players Jackson acquired the past two years. The Knicks also got fringe shooting guard Justin Holiday in the Rose package.