Chicago Bulls Trade Rumor: Joakim Noah To The Phoenix Suns?

In the wake of the blockbuster trade that sent Luol Deng to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Bulls are reportedly seeking another trade that would create more salary cap space and speed up their rebuilding effort.

Joakim Noah, as a trade chip, could bring back several 2014 draft picks if the Bulls choose to rebuild.

According to NBA Insider Chad Ford of ESPN, the Bulls are apparently not done making moves, as they are currently in talks with several teams about the possibility of trading Noah, veteran point guard Kirk Hinrick and even Carlos Boozer (despite his big contract).

"Don't think so. Lots of talk about those two as well as Boozer. I've said this in several of our last Tank Ranks, management has made the decision to tank this season. Coach isn't on board, but they can keep taking cards out of his hand to play," Ford stated during a chat session on ESPN Sports Nation.

Noah, who is averaging just 11.1 points and 10.4 rebounds this season, has carved out a name as one of the best defensive centers in the NBA. His tenacity on both ends of the floor makes him one of the most sought-after big men in the league.

Picks For The Future

Without a doubt, the Bulls can easily shop Noah to any contender and receive a handful of veterans in return, if their only desire was to clear up salary cap space.

However, dealing JoNo would put the Bulls in full rebuilding mode, and the rebuilding process would only be undertaken with a plan to replace the loss of Deng, and possibly Noah. This would involve getting a serviceable youngster in the deal or through the NBA Draft.

With this summer's NBA Draft predicted to be the deepest in a decade, the Bulls would do well getting a collection of 2014 draft picks in exchange for Noah.

The Phoenix Suns have four first-round picks in the 2014 NBA Draft, and they have allegedly expressed their intentions of trading some of these picks in exchange for another star that will help them contend in a very rigid Western Conference playoff race.

The Suns already have an explosive backcourt tandem in Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic, but Noah's defensive presence could make the team a force to reckon with in the Western Conference, according to basketball analysts.

One possible trade scenario could have the Bulls sending Noah to the Suns in exchange for two first round picks, Emeka Okafor and one of the Morris twins , Markieff or Marcus, with filler in order to make the money work.

The Bulls and Suns have roughly a month left to pull off this trade as the trade deadline comes to a close on Feb. 20.

If you were the Bulls' GM, what would you think about trading Joakim Noah for a pair of first round picks in this summer's NBA Draft? Tell us in the comments below!

Chicago Bulls Rookie Head Coach Named NBA Coach of The Year

CHICAGO, IL. After his very first season as an NBA head coach, Tom Thibodeau was named NBA Coach of the Year. Not bad for a rookie.

However, Thibodeau is no mere rookie in the coaching game.

In his first year as a head coach, Tom Thibodeau win Coach of the Year and has the Chicago Bulls poised to possibly win the franshise's 7th NBA Championship

With a resume that spans 21 years as an assistant coach, including 4 seasons as associate head coach with the Boston Celtics under Doc Rivers and puctuated by an NBA Championship in 2008, Thibodeau is definitely no mere rookie head coach.

And his accomplishments this season are a testament to that. In guiding the Chicago Bulls to a record of 62 - 20, the best record in the NBA, Thibodeau matched the NBA record for most wins by a rookie head coach, tying Paul Westphal and his 1992-93 Phoenix Suns.

After being passed over for head coaching positions several times, Thibodeau has made the most of his first opportunity. He brought his incredible work ethic and endless pursuit of perfection to a talented young team with a young star that shared his work habits and endless desire to get better.

Thibodeau turned down more lucrative offers to coach New York and New Jersey to coach the Bulls and a player in Derrick Rose who mirrored his own work ethic and will and desire to win.

With Derrick Rose as his best player and biggest supporter, Thibodeau and the Chicago Bulls were destined to do great things this season, but no one predicted that Rose, Thibs, or the Bulls would be this good this soon.

And this year's playoff ride is still not over.

DRose Comes Through In The Clutch To Save Bulls From Collapse Against Suns

CHICAGO, IL. The Chicago Bulls used great defense in the second and beginning of the third quarter to amass a 22 point lead, only to let that lead evaporate to 9 at the end of the 3rd quarter and down to a 2 point lead with 5:03 left in the game.

It was great defense again and Derrick Rose scoring 5 of the Bulls final six points that preserved the victory for the Bulls and helped them to add on to their incredible, league-best home record of 34 - 5 (tied with San Antonio).

On an amazing play, Rose scored and was fouled by Grant Hill. He stepped to the line and made the clutch free-throw.

DRose scored a huge three-point play to keep the Bulls ahead of the Suns in the closing minutes for the home win and to extend the Bulls lead on Boston and Miami for home-court to 3 full games. 

Phoenix came back with a huge three-pointer by Channing Frye to pull back to within two points.

After going back and forth, Derrick Rose connected on a long 19-foot clutch jumper with 0:33 seconds remaining to push the lead up to 4.

Vince Carter came back to score on a runner, and the Suns fouled Kyle Korver to get the ball back.

Korver, a career 88% free-throw shooter, could have made it a two possession game, but he missed the first of his two free-throws. He made the second free-throw to make it a three point contest with 0:13 seconds left in the game.

The Bulls did not allow the Suns a good look at a 3-pointer, and Marcin Gortat missed on a decent look at a 7-footer. Vince Carter tried to tip in a follow shot but also missed, as the final buzzer sounded.

After the hard fought contest, the always classy Alvin Gentry had nothing but kind words for the team he envisions facing the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2011 NBA Finals.

Alvin Gentry envisions a Lakers vs Bulls 2011 NBA Finals, and he says his vote for Most Valuable Player would go to Derrick Rose.

He also gave a glowing endorsement for the player who lead the home team to the victory on the night:

‘‘The inexperience Rose has, I don’t think it really matters. In theory, that sounds good. In actuality, the guy is as good as anybody playing. He’s the runaway MVP in the league. Right now, he’s the best player in the league. I don’t mind saying I’m voting for him.’’

Thank you, Coach Gentry! We will add you to the DRose For MVP Endorsement Page!