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Former Chicago Bulls: Joakim Noah re-signing with Memphis Grizzlies?

MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 25: Avery Bradley, and Joakim Noah #55 of the Memphis Grizzlies hug after the gameagainst the Los Angeles Lakers on February 25, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 25: Avery Bradley, and Joakim Noah #55 of the Memphis Grizzlies hug after the gameagainst the Los Angeles Lakers on February 25, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

What the former Chicago Bulls veteran center Joakim Noah could bring to the table for a contender next year is worth a look in free agency.

It’s always a good time to bring up some of the more prominent former Chicago Bulls when those players are facing their former team. Long-time Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah is facing his former team for the second time in the past two weeks, as the Memphis Grizzlies are on tap for Feb. 27.

Joakim Noah is up for another contract year this summer, and a return for the Grizzlies could make sense for him. At this point in his career, Joakim Noah is more suited to filling the role of a depth piece at center. He’s definitely putting together a solid campaign in his time with the Grizzlies this season.

The issue for Joakim Noah is that he could want to join a team that is closer to title contention in the NBA now than the Grizzlies. Even a move this summer to join a team like the Bulls wouldn’t make much sense for either party. Any team that has a need for proven experience and depth in the front court rotation would be a good fit for Joakim Noah among the NBA’s true title contenders.

According to the Daily Memphian, Noah could have some interest in re-signing with the Grizzlies this summer. He’s doing much better in Memphis than he did during his disappointing time with the floundering New York Knicks. Granted, the Knicks can’t do much of anything right with any centers of late.

The cap hit from Joakim Noah is just over $1 million at this point in his career. He is a bargain bin find that could be a good acquisition for a team in the thick of the NBA’s playoff picture for the 2019-20 season. Considering he’s registered a player efficiency rating among the top half of the Grizzlies this season, above 18, Joakim Noah still carries a lot of value as a potential acquisition.

Although the rumor mill hasn’t brought about anything that looks like Noah has a solid landing spot in place for free agency come this off-season.

He had to jump ship after his rough two-year tenure with the Knicks to start putting all the pieces back together with the Grizzlies. His last outing against his former team, the Bulls, saw Noah post eight points. Since then, he’s registered at least 14 points in each of his last three games.

Most of the games down the stretch for Noah are going to be pivotal for his status as a free agent this summer. In all likelihood, the Grizzlies won’t be at the right point of its rebuild yet to give the 34-year-old Joakim Noah the right fit to best maximize the ability he has left and what he brings to the table.

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