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NBA Rumors: Where Should Joakim Noah Land In Free Agency

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bulls forward center Joakim Noah (13) complains about a foul call against him during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets win 130-105. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bulls forward center Joakim Noah (13) complains about a foul call against him during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets win 130-105. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Joakim Noah has reportedly informed his teammates that he will not return to the Chicago Bulls in 2016-17. Which NBA team would be best for Noah to land with?

Nov 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bulls forward center Joakim Noah (13) complains about a foul call against him during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets win 130-105. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bulls forward center Joakim Noah (13) complains about a foul call against him during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets win 130-105. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

At this time two years ago, Joakim Noah was receiving the Defensive Player of the Year award and being named to the All-NBA First Team. He’d saved the Chicago Bulls from yet another injury-ravaged season, and effectively solidified himself as one of the league’s elite centers.

After two injury-plagued seasons and a number of bouts with the front office, Chicago’s adopted son is now seeking greener pastures.

Picturing Noah in an NBA uniform other than Chicago’s is tough to do. He’s been one of the faces of the franchise since he was drafted in 2007, playing an instrumental role in the development of the Bulls’ identity as one of the most feared defensive teams in the Association.

Nine years in, Noah has told his teammates that he will not be returning to Chicago, per 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."

Noah isn’t the first Bulls player to be reported as skeptical of the front office.

2015-16 was the final season of Noah’s five-year, $60 million contract with the Bulls. He made $13.4 million in 2016-17, and while no one knows exactly how much he’ll command this coming summer, he should have a significant market.

The question is, which teams are best equipped to accommodate Noah?

Next: Honorable Mention