After missing the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2008, the Chicago Bulls head into a crucial NBA offseason with some major changes potentially on the horizon. There’s no telling what the team will look like once the dust settles this summer with a few of the team’s best frontcourt players hitting free agency and trade rumors circulating about Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose.
At this point, it seems like the one player that already has one foot out of the door in Chicago is Joakim Noah. The 10-year veteran will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 with all indications pointing to him heading elsewhere.
During a recent interview with Sportando, Noah let it be known that he’ll consider every offer on the table during free agency this summer:
Sportando: This will be your first time as a free-agent, are you already thinking about that or are you taking your time?
Noah: I’m very focused on free-agency. I spent the last 10 years in Chicago, there were good moments and bad moments but now I have an incredible opportunity for a player, being recruited by a team, I definitely want to live that kind of experience. It’s new for me but it’s something very intriguing for a player.
Sportando: So are you going to consider other offers, right?
Noah: Sure. I’ll consider every offer on the table, no doubt.
Although Noah still brings value and will more than likely have a list of suitors in free agency, the 31-year-old is coming off the two worst seasons of his career in the NBA. Noah played in only 29 games last season with the veteran center’s year coming to an end due to season-ending shoulder surgery.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been the team linked to Noah over the past few weeks with talk of a potential reunion with head coach Tom Thibodeau. The Timberwolves are also rumored to have their sights set on making a trade to acquire another one of Thibodeau’s prized pupils in Butler.
Along with Noah, two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol may follow his teammate into free agency. Gasol has a player option for next season with the Bulls and will likely opt out of his deal to secure a long-term deal in Chicago or elsewhere.
The Los Angeles Lakers will be looking to upgrade their frontcourt in free agency this summer with Noah a possible option for the storied franchise. Roy Hibbert isn’t expected to return, and the prospect of Gasol coming back to Los Angeles seems very unlikely.