The Chicago Bulls are gearing up to build a stronger and better team. With Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson reportedly looking into NBA trades this offseason and Derrick Rose still uncertain about his health, the former Michael Jordan squad only has a handful of stars to carry the group. As if these concerns are not enough, it looks like the Chicago Bulls will soon lose one of its best basketball players and leader - Joakim Noah - to free agency soon.
While the performance of the French man in the 2015-16 NBA season left a lot to be desired, the presence of Joakim Noah in the Chicago Bulls roster gives other stars the direction they need to win games. Without him, the NBA team leaned on Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose - a combination that purportedly led to their downfall and failure to make it in the playoffs 2016. What will happen if the Chicago Bulls lose Joakim Noah? How does the front office plan to deal with this loss?
Rumors are rife that the Chicago Bulls have a plan in place to have the least loss in Joakim Noah's plan to move out. Speculations arose that the Minnesota Timberwolves are offering Ricky Rubio in exchange for the French man. With the entry of Tom Thibodeau in the Kevin Garnet squad, the possibility of Noah signing with the team becomes highly likely. Meanwhile, Rubio recently opened up about his plans to break away from the Minnesota Timberwolves soon. With this in mind, what better destination than the surging Chicago Bulls?
"When I arrived to Minnesota, my hope was to break the seven years' streak without [a] presence in [the] playoffs," said Ricky Rubio. He added, "I still have that hope, but it's very tough mentally when year after year that goal is not met. Next season will be crucial for me. I've been in the NBA for five years, and six years without playoffs would be a long time. At 26, I'd have to start thinking about teams that can get to the playoffs and win in the Finals."
The situation could be considered timely for both NBA stars. The Chicago Bulls have been playoffs contenders in the past, except for the 2015-16 season, and this could be an ideal place for Ricky Rubio. As for Noah, a reunion with former head coach Thibodeau seems to be an appealing option at the moment. With the younger stars in the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Andrew Wiggins team can definitely use a leader like the French man.
What do you think? Should the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves make the swap? Will Joakim Noah fit in the Minnesota Timberwolves? Will the addition of Ricky Rubio finally get the Jimmy Butler team out of the rut they got stuck in last NBA season?
