NBA Rumors: Joakim Noah Open To Leaving Chicago Bulls In Free Agency

Joakim Noah is set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career this summer. There has been a lot of chatter lately on whether or not the former Florida Gators star is going to return to the Chicago Bulls. According to NBC Sports, Noah is expected to consider every team’s offer. There will be plenty of teams in the NBA that will be interested in signing a player like him during free agency.

The Chicago Bulls selected Joakim Noah with the ninth pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. He has spent nine seasons with the Bulls. For the past several seasons, Noah was the leader for the team. He has built up a very good resume since joining the National Basketball Association. Noah has been an All-Star twice. He was selected to the All NBA First Team in 2014. The All-Star won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and finished fourth in the Most Valuable Player of the Year award that same season. Noah has been voted to the NBA All-Defensive First Team twice.

For the past two seasons, Joakim Noah has been bothered by injuries. He recently had season-ending shoulder surgery in January. This shouldn’t scare teams away this summer. You can tell how much he means to the Chicago Bulls. Once Noah went down with the injury, the Bulls’ season also took a huge drop. The team didn’t even make it to the NBA Playoffs this past season.

According to Hoops Hype, Joakim Noah is the sixth-best center available in free agency this summer. If he hadn’t been sidelined with an injury this season, he could potentially be one of the top three centers. Noah is a player who can do it all. He can score in the low post, rebound the ball, facilitate the offense, and play defense. The All Star doesn’t need to score the ball to help the team win games. He is a true team player.

It might be a shocker for many people if Joakim Noah decided to leave the Chicago Bulls this summer. He was unhappy with his reduced role under new head coach Fred Hoiberg. Pau Gasol might be on the way out along with Noah. From the looks of it, the Bulls might be headed for a rebuilding period after missing the NBA Playoffs.

The Minnesota Timberwolves might be a team that will show interest in signing a veteran leader like Joakim Noah. Rumors have started swirling around the two sides because of Tom Thibodeau. The Timberwolves recently hired Tibodeau to become their new team president and head coach. Noah played for Thibodeau with the Chicago Bulls. During their time together, Thibodeau got the best out of Noah.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a very young roster with a very bright upside. They could be a force in the Western Conference within the next couple of years. The Timberwolves have two cornerstone pieces on their rosters in Andrew Wiggins and Karl Anthony Towns. The Timberwolves might be looking to add someone in free agency to help guide their young team. Joakim Noah could come in and help teach them about Tom Thibodeau’s system.

Joakim Noah could be leaving the Chicago Bulls this summer in free agency. With Noah being unhappy about his role with the Bulls, some might assume he is on the way out. The All Star is coming off an injured shoulder that sidelined him for half a season. That wouldn’t be enough to scare off teams from signing him to their team. The Minnesota Timberwolves could be one of those teams because of the relationship between Tom Thibodeau and Noah.

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