Joakim Noah is set to hit the free agency market this summer after an abysmal season with the Chicago Bulls. Noah has been the main driving force of the franchise through the Tom Thibodeau era, Derrick Rose’s injuries and the emergence of Jimmy Butler. He’s been a top five MVP candidate, 2-time All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year and even a member of the All-NBA team during his tenure with the Bulls.
Yet despite Noah’s success over his nine years on the Bulls, it appears that he’s done with the organization and their new regime under Fred Hoiberg. His past season was hampered by a shoulder injury but despite that, many have said it appears that the versatile big man has lost a step on both the offensive and defensive end.
The 31-year-old New York native is coming off one of his worst seasons since he came into the league back in 2007, averaging just 4.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game and then just 29 games in to the 2015-16 campaign, he had his season-ending shoulder surgery.
Joakim Noah’s recent season might not have been the best but the team appears to be interested in re-signing him and there should be a market for the disgruntled center, a man who has apparently lost trust in the franchise he’s called home for nearly a decade.
Following from Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Noah has been telling teammates in recent weeks that he was done with the organization once free agency begins, and “has no trust in the front office getting this in the right direction,’’ according to a Bulls player.
The player was asked if Noah’s feelings had anything to do with first-year coach Fred Hoiberg and the tension that developed between the two early in the season, when Noah lost his starting job. The player insisted that Noah didn’t bring up the rift as an explanation for his desire to bolt.
What was offered up, however, was the notion that there seems to be a complete mistrust multiple players have toward general manager Gar Forman, with Noah leading that charge.
According to the player, former coach Tom Thibodeau was always able to shield the players from the front office, having them buy into the idea that it was “us against them.’’
“We know there’s at least one assistant [coach] that tells Gar everything that goes on,’’ the player said. “There’s a lot of guys that have a problem with that, and not just Jo.’’
Noah, who is one of the more charitable players in the entire NBA, had become so annoyed with Forman that he actually turned down a chance to help Bulls Charities earlier this season. According to the player, Noah was approached by Leslie Forman – Gar’s wife, as well as the VP of Bulls Charities – to take place in “some auction where he would have to ride around town with the winner or something like that.”
Noah didn’t like the way he was approached and pressured, so flatly said no.
“Not like Jo at all,’’ the player said.
UPDATE:
Joakim Noah’s agent, Bill Duffy, has come out and denied the claims stated above courtesy of K.C. Johnson from the Chicago Tribune.
Bill Duffy, Noah's agent: "Joakim and I speak on daily about his future. There has been zero indication he doesn't wish to return to Bulls."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) May 25, 2016
Bill Duffy, Joakim Noah's agent: "Joakim has great respect for the city, the fans and the organization."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) May 25, 2016
Noah has never experienced free agency. He'll certainly go through the process.
And typo in quote: should be "speak on daily basis"— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) May 25, 2016
