Washington Wizards Free Agency 2016: The Case For Joakim Noah
By Osman Baig
The Washington Wizards are reportedly interested in free agent Joakim Noah. Here’s why that’s actually not an awful idea
Joakim Noah? If the rest of you are like me, you all were probably completely caught off guard by the Washington Wizards’ reported interest in the longtime Chicago Bull.
Among all the free agent speculation and articles written, it would be difficult to find even one that speculated Washington having interest in Noah.
His age, injuries, and declining production all seemed to make him a non-starter, especially when you consider that Washington had a similar player in Nene who’s contract is up.
So, what should we make of this reported interest?
The instant reaction on Twitter and among our own writers was a hard no.
It was viewed as par for the course for Washington – yet another big name on the wrong side of 30 who Washington will be paying more for their past production rather than what they’ll do here.
Is that fair though?
Just two years ago, Noah finished fourth in the MVP ballot behind Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Blake Griffin. Putting up roughly 13 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, nearly two blocks and over a steal, Noah was considered the Bulls’ most productive player.
He was a stat-stuffer, and oh by the way, the Defensive Player of the Year.
This wasn’t a decade ago or even five years ago – this was just two years ago!
The question is, at age 31 and coming off a significant shoulder injury, would Washington be getting someone close to the player who was in the MVP race or someone closer to the player that averaged four points and nine rebounds per game in just 29 games last season.
The answer likely lies somewhere in the middle, which is why I think the idea of pursuing Joakim Noah shouldn’t be readily dismissed.
While Noah’s scoring production was down, he was still statistically productive in other areas.
Per 36, Noah averaged 14.5 rebounds and over six assists per game – both of which are career highs. His steals and blocks per game were also in-line with his career-averages..
The Chicago Bulls had a down year last season, similar to Washington.
A mid-season report from Joe Cowly of the Chicago Sun Times indicated Noah was not happy with losing his starting job and wasn’t a big fan of coach Fred Hoiberg.
"A source said on Tuesday morning that Noah remains unhappy with his current standing in the organization, and “still hasn’t moved past losing his starting job’’ late in training camp. The source went onto say that Noah “hasn’t been a distraction by any means, but isn’t the biggest [coach Fred] Hoiberg fan these days.’"
Joakim Noah was a Tom Thibodeau guy and the move away from Coach Thibs to a someone trying to implement a more up-tempo system just didn’t work.
That, however, doesn’t completely explain his decline because he also had a down season two years ago.
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Coach Thibodeau has a reputation for overworking players and it’s fair to speculate if Noah’s best days are behind him.
At this point it’s hard to tell what to expect from Noah, given he hasn’t been on the court for months.
Does that mean the Washington Wizards should avoid pursuing him?
The short answer is no.
The long answer is Noah is likely being looked at for a third big role, playing behind Marcin Gortat and providing a defensive-minded center more capable of defending on switch-outs in the evolving NBA.
Based on his recent injury history, his price tag may not be as high as it would be if he were coming off another healthy season and he may represent a bargain based on his perceived decline.
In his introductory press conference, Scott Brooks emphasized playing hard every night, and getting back to playing defense.
Joakim Noah will check both of those boxes for any team he suits up for.
One of the criticisms of the Washington Wizards the last few years, and last year in particular, was they didn’t seem to play hard every night.
Joakim Noah’s Chicago Bulls – up until last season – didn’t seem to face that problem.
While you can question his production, age, and injuries, you can’t question his effort level and enthusiasm when he’s on the floor.
In terms of defense, as I pointed out earlier, Noah was still very effective on the glass and also sported a 101 defensive rating last season – just one point above his career average.
His ability to move his feet on defense provides an element that Marcin Gortat simply does not.
He also has an infectious nature to him; a way about himself that makes you love him if he plays for your team and hate him if he’s the opposition.
This franchise needs that someone who will play with enthusiasm and engage the crowd when he’s on the floor.
The Verizon Center crowd didn’t have much to cheer last season but compounding that issue was the team’s inability to connect with the home fans – something that Noah did not have an issue with as a crowd favorite in Chicago.
Leadership was also brought into question for the 2015-2016 Washington Wizards.
Joakim Noah has been a leader in the past and like other veterans such as Trevor Ariza, Al Harrington, and Paul Pierce before him, he might provide that element that seemed to be missing.
Ideally that would come from the incumbent backcourt, but we don’t know at this point if they are natural leaders.
I’m not suggesting the Washington Wizards should pursue Joakim Noah at all costs. But, he still may have enough left in the tank to be a value-add to the franchise – a player who may be slightly undervalued based on a combination of injury and bad set of circumstances this year.
Next: Wizards Free Agency: The Case Against Joakim Noah
If his shoulder injury has progressed well and if the price is right, I think I’m in for Noah.