Despite the reports that Joakim Noah is ready to leave the Bulls when he becomes a free agent this summer, talks between the big man and the team have resulted in a “positive dialogue” about a new contract, a league source tells Nick Friedell of ESPN.com. Noah had reportedly told teammates in recent weeks that he’s done with the organization once free agency begins, adding that he “has no trust in the front office getting this in the right direction.” The big man’s agent disputed the reports, adding that his client has “great respect” for the city of Chicago, Bulls fans, and the organization. “Joakim and I speak on a daily basis about his future,” Duffy said. “There has been zero indication he doesn’t wish to return to Bulls.”
Here’s more from around the league:
- The Nets are planning on holding another free agent mini-camp next month and the invitees will include Quinn Cook, Alex Stepheson, Scotty Hopson, Jerrelle Benimon, Alex Kirk, Kwame Vaughn and McKenzie Moore, international journalist David Pick reports in a series of tweets. Moore is also scheduled to work out for the Mavericks, Pick notes.
- USC junior big man Nikola Jovanovic has hired Bill Duffy of BDA Sports Management to represent him, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today relays (via Twitter). The 22-year-old is no lock to be selected this June and isn’t among the top 100 players, according to Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.
- Former Oklahoma shooting guard Isaiah Cousins has a workout scheduled with the Raptors on May 31st, Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv tweets. Cousins is a potential second-rounder, with Givony slotting him No. 67 overall.
- D’Andre Downey (Stillman College) and Alec Wintering (Portland) have withdrawn from the 2016 NBA draft and are returning to school, Dan Feldman of NBCSports.com relays.
Noah you’ve done a lot for Chicago and the Bulls. Go to a team that will appreciate you and will be glad to have you. You deserve it. The front office of the Bulls is a mess , as hiring a yes man as head coach proves.
First off.. Noah is a walking hospital case. I live guy.. When healthy. Bulls stuck with him when most teams wouldn’t. That said, I don’t blame him for not trusting the FO. But if he thinks he’s going to see a big contract somewhere else… He is sadly mistaken.
Hey Borat, he will get paid. Cap goes way up this year. Everyone will get paid
Does Joakim Want to leave or is it just speculation
Speculation
The Bulls have to keep Noah or Gasol to be contenders next season. Given that choice, I think they would rather keep Noah, and he’s the one more likely to stay.
Noah will get paid a lot of money, because of the cap this year. That’s going to be the new norm. And Gasol or Noah to contend? Try neither and going out and adding a piece that’ll actually score AND play defense. Resigning either of them guarantees nothing other than defense from one and not the other. Or vice versa