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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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May 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Anderson Varejao (18) is congratulated by center Andrew Bogut (12) against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in game two of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 118-91. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Anderson Varejao (18) is congratulated by center Andrew Bogut (12) against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in game two of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 118-91. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Golden State Warriors

If the 2016 Western Conference Finals have proven anything, it’s that the Golden State Warriors need stability at center. Andrew Bogut is very effective when healthy, but that’s a rarity, and Festus Ezeli may have played himself out of the Warriors’ price range.

If Golden State is willing to throw a short-term deal Joakim Noah’s way, it could revitalize the defense and build the best passing interior in the NBA.

Pairing Noah with Draymond Green would give the Warriors two big men who are capable of ripping off a triple-double without a moment’s notice. The assumption would be that Noah would see minutes in the low-to-mid 20s, but his per 36 impact would remain the same.

Noah would receive an opportunity to restore his reputation on a championship contender, and Golden State would address its void at the 5—a win-win.

The determining factor in this potential signing is how the Warriors approach Harrison Barnes and Ezeli. Both will be restricted free agents this summer, and each could eat up enough of Golden State’s cap space to prevent Noah’s signing.

More hoops habit: Who are the Top 10 boom or bust prospects in the 2016 NBA Draft?

If Golden State can sign Noah to a two-year deal with a player option for 2017-18, however, the move could prove mutually beneficial.