Joakim Noah came into the 2015-16 season with something to prove. Entering a contract year, the center was looking to prove he was healthy and could still be an elite defender. Instead, he lost his starting job, got hurt and is now playing an even more limited role than before. After reports surfaced that Noah was unhappy with the state of his time in Chicago, the center is making it clear he is not demanding a move.
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times first reported that Noah was unhappy coming off the bench and not seeing as many minutes on the court as he used to. Head coach Fred Hoiberg favors the Pau Gasol-Nikola Mirotic pairing in the starting lineup while Doug McDermott and Bobby Portis are playing over the center as well. That has left Noah searching for minutes. What the center is upfront with the notion that he wishes he were playing more, he is denying causing a disruption or demanding a move.
"I mean, I don't know what to say. I wasn't expecting to play such a limited role," Noah said, via the Chicago Tribune. "I'm trying to stay focused on what I can do to help. That's it. It's not about complaining. It's about trying to find solutions. I want to be part of solutions and try to help figure it out. I want to play all the time. I think any competitor does. I've said that all along. But this (role) won't change my commitment to the team. I've never been about anything but winning and the team. I'm blessed to play this game for a living. Before the (shoulder) injury, I felt I was finding a rhythm. I just need to get back to that. I feel like I will."
Just because Noah is not demanding a trade does not mean he will not get traded. According to Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report, the Bulls are exploring interest in Noah, Taj Gibson and Pau Gasol as the trade deadline gets closer. The Bulls have been hot and cold this season and their frontcourt depth has caused a log-jam for players trying to get time on the court. With the rise of younger players, certain veterans might be expendable.
A trade of Gasol is highly unlikely. Yes the veteran has already confirmed that he will likely opt out of his contract and become a free agent at the end of the season, but he is critical to the Bulls right now and their quest for the playoffs. Noah is the more expendable player of the bunch. He is averaging just 4.3 points on 38 percent shooting. However, because of that a deal worth Chicago's time is not expected to come. The team will not get the return they would be hoping for which means all three players will likely stay put.