Joakim Noah and the New York Knicks are nearing agreement on a four-year deal worth $72 million, league sources told ESPNs Chris Broussard.Noah will meet with the Knicks on Friday in Orlando, Florida, sources said.The Knicks had emerged as the strong favorite to sign the free-agent big man, league sources previously told ESPN. Sources said multiple teams interested in the native New Yorker had all but conceded that the Knicks were his runaway preferred destination.No deals can be signed until July 7, but teams and free agents could start coming to verbal agreements on contracts starting at 12:01 a.m. ET Friday.The Knicks are eager to land a center this offseason, and Noah, a former All-Star, fits the bill. The Knicks have prioritized the position in free agency after sending Robin Lopez, last seasons starting center, to Chicago in the Derrick Rose?trade.Rose said last week that he would like Noah, who was his teammate on the Bulls, to join him in New York.In addition, the Knicks have several shooting guards on their radar, including Austin Rivers, Evan Turner, Eric Gordon and Courtney Lee, sources told ESPNs Ian Begley.However, the first domino is Noah. If and when the Knicks agree to a number with Noah, they will move on to shooting guard. The Knicks would have roughly $14.5 million in remaining cap space if they agree to these terms with Noah.The club hasnt ruled out the possibility of meeting with Kevin Durant, sources said.The Knicks interest in Rivers and location of the Noah meeting were first reported by The Vertical.Noah, 31, is coming off a 2015-16 season filled with injury. He suffered two significant shoulder injuries that limited him to 29 games last season. He missed almost a month with a left shoulder tear and had season-ending surgery to repair a left shoulder dislocation in January. He has spent a portion of his summer at The Peak Performance Project in Santa Barbara, California.ESPNs Marc Stein and Nick Friedell contributed to this report. Aaron Holiday Pacers Jersey . R.J. Umberger scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record for consecutive wins with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Kings. Mark Jackson Pacers Jersey . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain. http://www.authenticbasketballshoppacers.info/customized/ .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. Paul George Pacers Jersey . Los Angeles star goalie survived those perilous gymnastics with no problem, and he eventually backstopped the Kings to a skid-snapping win. Quick stopped 27 shots in his return from a 24-game injury absence, Jeff Carter scored the tiebreaking goal with 7:55 to play, and the Kings snapped their five-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. Myles Turner Pacers Jersey . Now, with Game 6 set for Fenway Park and an 8:07 p.m. ET first pitch, the Detroit Tigers face the unenviable task of having to beat the Boston Red Sox twice, on the road, to advance to the World Series.Australia beat South Africa by five wickets, chasing down 205 to win a thrilling second T20 international in Johannesburg, tying the three-match series at 1-1. David Warner (77 off 40 balls) and Glenn Maxwell (75 off 43) starred with the bat, sharing a record 161-run partnership for the fourth wicket.South Africa captain Faf du Plessis had earlier smashed 79 from 41 balls but couldnt prevent his side from slipping to defeat.Du Plessis cracked five fours and five sixes as South Africa scored 204-7 from their 20 overs, after being sent in to bat.Quinton de Kock hit 44 from 28 balls, while David Miller thrashed 33 off 18 deliveries, providing useful support for their skipper.Left-arm seamer James Faulkner was outstanding for Australia, taking 3-28 from his four overs, while most of his team-mates took some heavy punishment.Set a daunting 205 to win, Australia were in deep trouble, slipping to 32-3 in the sixth over, as Kagiso Rabada (2-25) bowled Aaron Finch and Dale Steyn (2-32) - back in the side for his first appearance since injuring his shoulder in the first Test against England in December - removed opening partner Shane Watson and Steve Smith, Rabada taking a terrific catch at third man. South Africas Kagiso Rabada made this amazing catch to dismiss Australias Steve Smith during the second T20 match of the series But Warner and Maxwell cracked 13 fours and eight sixes between them in their world-record fourth wicket stand of 161 off 87 balls to see Australia cruising towards victory.ddddddddddddThere was a twist in the tail as Maxwell was caught off the fifth ball of the 19th over and Warner was yorked by Rabada with the first ball of the final over with Australia needing 11 to win.Rabada followed it up with two costly wides later in the over though and Mitchell Marsh scored the two runs required from the final ball for an Australia win.South Africa and Australia meet in Cape Town on Wednesday for the series decider. Watch live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 4pm. ' ' '
