The Wolves, and particularly new coach Tom Thibodeau, have targeted Joakim Noah, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, Mitch Lawrence of The Sporting News reports. Noah has interest in Minnesota and in rejoining his former coach, according to Lawrence.
Noah would be a good fit for the Wolves because he would add a veteran presence and fill a leadership role on a young team, Lawrence writes. There have been reports that Noah is ready to leave the Bulls when he becomes a free agent this summer, but recent talks between the big man and the team have resulted in a “positive dialogue” about a new contract. Noah, 31, has spent all of his nine NBA seasons in Chicago.
Noah didn’t always see eye to eye with first-year head coach Fred Hoiberg, who removed Noah from the starting lineup early in the season. The big man thrived under Thibodeau, however. Noah underwent surgery on his separated left shoulder back in January, and while he should be ready to go for the 2016/17 campaign, he hasn’t played a game since that procedure. In 2015/16, he appeared in just 29 games, averaging 4.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 21.9 minutes per contest.
Mitch Lawrence is a moron who has zero credibility. He’s never broken a story on his own. His whole career is based on conjecture and feeding off other journalists work.
In this case Lawrence is piecing together a report earlier this week from Chicago Sun-Times Bulls beat reporter, Joe Cowley, who, in all honesty, can’t stand anyone in Chicago’s front office. Cowley loves to pick fights with everyone in upper management. He did so as a beat writer covering the Chicago White Sox for years, and the last few covering the Bulls. Cowley’s act is to stir up controversy when none exists. Cowley’s a low-life who seeks out unhappy players and/or coaches and uses them as his “sources.” These are guys who, for whatever reason, end up feeling under appreciated. Cowley’s is an incredibly disingenuous human being.
Mitch Lawrence and Cowley must have been classmates, because Lawrence is equally disingenuous. In this particular case Lawrence is using Cowley’s report and weaving a dash of Chicago Tribune beat reporter, KC Johnson’s story that came out the day after Cowley’s that completely contradicted Cowley’s fable that Noah was telling teammates he’s definitely leaving the Bulls because he despises GM Gar Forman. Johnson’s story QUOTED Noah’s agent, Bill Duffy, saying he and Noah talk everyday and that Noah has NEVER told him that he wanted to leave Chicago and that Cowley’s story is news to him.
Lawrence takes a little of Cowley and a little of Johnson and then … Thibs former Bulls HC now in Minny … Hmm, Noah … Thibs … obviously there must be mutual interest!! Wow, Mitch, you’re a freakin’ basketball Nostradamus!
Noah isn’t going to Minnesota … unless Thibs wants to pay him $18 per x 4. It ain’t happening. Lawrence had to file a story so he made this one up out of thin air.
What is with these Bulls player apologist? It’s obvious Noah had a problem with Hoiberg and Forman. Leave the hero-worship to the kids.
Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning…
We have the salary cap to pay joakim Noah 18 x 4 give Andrew Wiggins a new contract and give any other expiring contracts for the twolves a new contract
Hey Will, Noah would be a good fit*. Forgot the word fit.
Fill a leadership role? Isn’t that why they keep bringing back Garnett?
Because they are to scared to say Kevin Garnett retire already
He will come to Minnesota if Kevin Garnett ever hangs up his career. He will put the twolves in the right direction and help win a championship