4 NBA teams that could use free agent Joakim Noah

3. LA Clippers

The LA Clippers reportedly kicked the tires on Joakim Noah over the summer. They didn’t sign him and can’t really be regretting it at this point.

Their top center is the young and promising Montrezl Harrell. He’s averaging 18.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in mostly a reserve role, with just two starts in LA’s first 14 games. He’s in the top 15 in the league in PER. At just 25 years old, he’s a clear building block for the franchise’s future.

The Clippers’ only true center is Ivica Zubac. The 22-year-old certainly has potential, averaging 8.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game as a limited-minutes starter. It’s possible he’ll have to fulfill that potential elsewhere, but he’s serviceable for now.

Still, the position could use an injection of veteran experience.

LA is one of the few teams built around veterans, led by Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Patrick Beverley. They have their fair share of young players, but the engine that makes them go will be propelled by people who have been there and done that.

Noah is a player that can embody that mentality.

For all the hoopla the Clippers have generated, they’ve yet to forge a unique identity on a national level. Noah is no stranger to creating that mystique, a member of some rugged Chicago Bulls squads back in the prime of his career.

Besides, there’s something oddly satisfying about seeing Noah pair up with Doc Rivers.