The 2015 NBA free agency as been wilder than the Wild Wild West. Premiere players are leaving while big market teams are being left empty handed; the Lakers are a prime example of that. When guys like Deandre Jordan, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Robin Lopez are leaving, teams need to find a replacement as soon as possible.
One executive I spoke to speculated that the Clippers may shop Jamal Crawford (who's owed $5,675,000) as they look for a replacement center.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 4, 2015
As has been reported by @ESPNSteinLine, Roy Hibbert will be traded to the Lakers. Two sides working on rest of the deal right now.
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) July 4, 2015
ESPN sources say that the Lakers and Pacers are actively discussing a trade where L.A. would take Roy Hibbert into salary-cap space
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 4, 2015
Most teams either build through the trade or jump into trade talks when they miss out on key free agents. The Clippers are shopping Jamal Crawford for a replacement Center since Jordan took his talents to Dallas. The Lakers were overlooked by Monroe as he chose to take his talents to Milwaukee. The Lakers, desperate as ever, decided to finalize a deal that would land Roy Hibbert. The Knicks who missed out on key free agents decided to give Robin Lopez a sizable and very overpaid offer.
Where does Joakim Noah follow into this? Well, Noah’s expiring deal should have all the GMs licking their chops. Noah maybe on the decline of his career, but he brings a lot more than Roy Hibbert and Robin Lopez. Teams like the Clippers and Blazers are desperately trying to fill in the gaps for their front-court; queue in Joakim Noah.
Roy Hibbert and Joakim Noah both have similar deals. Both are expiring contracts making close to $14-15 million range this season. The only difference is talent between the two, and to label Hibbert with the word talent is a bit of a stretch.
Why trade Joakim Noah? At least, why even put him on the market? Well, his contract is expiring which means you could probably lure a desperate team with a big offer. Not to mention, the Bulls can trade for economically friendly contract which would help them land a good free agent to back up Derrick Rose.
Finding a good big man at a scarce position in the NBA is a tough task, which makes a guy like Noah overvalued by other teams. Overvalued would mean bigger offer and more room to grow.
