NBA Rumors: Former Defensive Player Of The Year Could Still Play On Next Season

With most of the top names in NBA free agency already taken, the focus is now on the leftovers or players who are most likely to fill out the remaining spots on select teams. There are still some notable names available, a mix of veterans and young players who could still help out any team. And one of perhaps the forgotten names is Joakim Noah, the 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Noah's best years were of course with the Chicago Bulls. The 6-foot-11 center is a workhorse who is best known for his defense and controlling the boards. He is not much of a heavy scorer but brings in plenty of energy for any team. His career somehow went into a spiral when he opted to join the New York Knicks in 2016. Injuries were partly to be blamed although he also had some issues with then-coach Jeff Hornacek. In short, things just haven't been the same for the 9th overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft.

Noah eventually got waived by the Knicks in October 2018, although he got a new lease on life with the Memphis Grizzlies. The deal he had was far from the four-year $72 million contract he got with the Knicks, agreeing to a measly $1.7 million one-year deal with the Grizzlies, according to Spotrac. Pundits feel that the 34-year-old could be better off staying in Memphis. But with the team in rebuild mode, his chances of staying there look grim.

Looking ahead, the best option for Noah is joining a team that needs a veteran center-forward who will agree to an NBA veteran's minimum salary. There are several teams that could give the two-time NBA All-Star a try although he is likely to come off the bench. A team that could gamble on Noah would be the Oklahoma City Thunder which could use more toughness up front, sources told SNYtv's Ian Begley. Also, it can be recalled that OKC had a similar interest in Noah back in 2011 when he was still with the Knicks.

But of course, a lot has changed since then. Noah is struggling to find his old form, while the Thunder are seemingly in rebuild mode. They shockingly dealt off Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers and there is a growing belief that Russell Westbrook may be next. There is still a chance for Noah to join the Thunder although it may more about mentoring and helping the young big men of head coach Billy Donovan next NBA season.