As the official start to the offseason grows closer and closer, Joakim Noah's name continues to pop up in trade rumors for the Chicago Bulls. As the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, his future is seeming less and less certain with the team. With Derrick Rose off the court, Noah has been the shining star of the Bulls team which has only increased his value on the open market. With Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Love on the brain, do the bulls sacrifice the center for free agents?
According to NBA Insider Chuck Myron, the Bulls are looking more and more willing to give up Noah if it means they can sign both Anthony and trade for Love in one offseason. That would give the Bulls a roster that included those two plus Derrick Rose and either Taj Gibson or Jimmy Butler. Myron is quick to point out this idea is a complete long shot and is not likely going to happen, but the Chicago Sun Times is also following the idea, noting the Bulls are making everyone outside of Rose available if it means they can get together a championship roster by next year.
Noah would likely be sent to Minnesota in exchange for Love. Myron believes Chicago would also try and include Carlos Boozer and his $16 million expiring contract. The Knicks could get two first-round draft picks while giving up Anthony. First, Minnesota likely wants nothing to do with the contracts Noah and Boozer have. Yes, Noah is worth the money, but Boozer is not. Chicago would have to give up someone like Butler or Gibson instead. The Knicks would gladly take the draft picks.
There are too many scenarios for a situation that likely will not happen. Would the Bulls be wise to give up Noah in exchange for Anthony and Love? Those two would certainly take the pressure off Rose in the scoring department, but Chicago would be sacrificing a big defensive presence for two shooters.
In the end, Noah likely stays put. The Cleveland Cavaliers were said to be interested in the defensive star, along with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Cleveland is making other arrangements since they lack the assets to land Noah in a deal. If Chicago opts not to trade Noah and misses out on Love, they could easily sign someone like Pau Gasol or Luol Deng instead.
