Noah wants to stay with Bulls
CHICAGO – As the Denver Nuggets try to resolve Carmelo Anthony’s(notes) future, Joakim Noah(notes) is clear on his intentions: He wants to stay with the Chicago Bulls.
While league sources said the Nuggets would demand Noah in any trade for Anthony, the Bulls have not shown any willingness to move their young center. Chicago officials have been in negotiations with Noah on a contract extension, but the two sides have yet to reach agreement.
“I can only control what I can control,” Noah said while attending a community event on Wednesday. “I love it here in Chicago. We’ll see what happens. I feel like I’ve grown a lot, not only as a player, but as a person. I feel like there is a lot to be done here. They love their sports here.
“I feel like I can make a positive impact.”
Noah averaged 10.7 points, 11 rebounds and 1.6 blocks with the Bulls last season. With Noah, guard Derrick Rose(notes) and new forward Carlos Boozer(notes), the Bulls believe they have the needed pieces to compete for an Eastern Conference title. Anthony, however, is one of the league’s most popular players and a three-time All-Star who averaged 28.2 points last season. League sources said Anthony, who has so far declined to sign the Nuggets’ three-year, $65 million extension offer, would prefer to be traded to either the Bulls or New York Knicks.
Noah wouldn’t comment on whether Bulls management has spoken to him about the trade speculation.
“I also understand what kind of caliber of a player Carmelo Anthony is,” Noah said. “We’ll see what happens. I’m trying to stay positive. I’m really excited about the upcoming season. I can’t control what happens in these situations.
“I think a lot of questions that you guys are asking me, you guys should ask the people who make the decisions.”
