Joakim Noah (Photo : Reuters File)
There are other possible trades looming on the horizon aside from DeMarcus Cousins. The latest development from the Bulls has opened a possibility.
According to Chicago Bulls blog Pippen Ain't Easy, the recent injury to Joakim Noah, the longest tenured Bulls player (a year earlier than Rose) on the roster, may don a different jersey for the first time in his career.
Noah has been on the trade rumor mill as other teams'target. The idea that he might be expendable was because of the resurgence of Pau Gasol and the new offense-centric philosophy of new coach Fred Hoiberg.
The blog mentions that "it doesn't really make sense for the Bulls to be paying a guy that much money ($13.4 million) who is coming off the bench" and that if Noah does not show consistency before the deadline, it would be better for the Bulls to see what they can get.
Earlier in the year, Zach Lowe of the now-defunct Grantland mentioned that the Bulls might be "done as we know them" and while Noah is the heart and soul of the team and could not be traded, "they said the same thing about Luol Deng" who's now in Miami.
Noah has an expiring contract and a team that wants him could re-sign him to lower deal. The Boston Celtics can send the expiring contract of David Lee and one of their first round picks in 2016. The Bulls would probably prefer the Dallas Mavericks' possible late lottery pick (Celtics won't trade the Nets pick) and some second round picks to sweeten the deal.
The Indiana Pacers could also be a landing spot as they have a dearth in the frontline. The Bulls could target anyone from Monta Ellis, Rodney Stuckey of George Hill to boost their backcourt and also a shooting forward like Chase Budinger. Noah's presence could bring Paul George back to his natural small forward position.
