Washington Wizards Nene (L) and Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah. (Photo : Getty Images)
Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah is reportedly close to becoming a trade option this season if the starting Spanish tandem of Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic continues to play better and gains more playing time. A trade rumor was also out that Noah could be dealt to the Washington Wizards in exchange for veteran center Nenê.
Sports World Report indicated that "sources are reporting that Noah is a mid-season trade target" if Taj Gibson is given starting minutes while teammates Mirotic and Doug McDermott go on to improve more and more.
Noah is said to have struggled in the preseason playing as Gasol's primary backup and have carried over his limited production into the regular season as the Bulls are off to a great start with a 3-1 win-loss slate.
The 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year is so far averaging a measly 2.5 points and had been contributing 6.8 rebounds only, far lower than his career average of 9.5, during the first four games of the season. On the other hand, Mirotic is firing 18.8 ppg and equaling his 6.8 rpg contribution.
Meanwhile, a wild trade speculation involving Noah and Wizards' big man Nenê was recently reported by Rant Sports. The 33-year-old Brazilian was relegated to the bench of Randy Wittman's squad as well, which said to be making him feel uncomfortable overall.
The article suggested that "the biggest purpose this trade would serve is getting two players out of situations that may become awkward and give them new scenery to play in," yet the two aging warriors would still be used as bench players if ever.
Judging by that premise, it can be said that the trade rumor does not make sense especially if both Noah and Nenê will still play their current roles with their speculated destination ballclubs. If that is the case, then it would be better for both of them to stay with their rosters and just try and help their teams do better in the East.
If the Bulls are really planning to trade Noah, then it would most likely be for a reliable backup wingman for Butler or a starting small forward that is a level above Tony Snell.
