Report: Joakim Noah told teammates he will not return to Bulls

Bulls center Joakim Noah has informed his teammates that he will not return to the team next season, according to a report.

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Bulls center Joakim Noah has informed his teammates that he will not return to the team next season, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Timesreports.

Noah “has no trust in the front office getting this in the right direction,” one Bulls player told the Sun-Times.

His agent refuted the report to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.

“Joakim and I speak on a daily basis about his future,” agent Bill Duffy said. “There has been zero indication he doesn't wish to return to Bulls. Joakim has great respect for the city, the fans and the organization.”

The 31-year-old was a first-round pick of the Bulls in 2007 and has spent his entire eight-year career in Chicago. The team underwent a coaching change before the start of the season, removing Tom Thibodeau and replacing him with former Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg.

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Noah, who had season-ending surgery on his shoulder in January, just finished his five-year, $60 million deal and is an unrestricted free agent this summer.

– Kenny Ducey