CHICAGO — Center Joakim Noah and the Chicago Bulls are discussing a possible contract extension and hope to have an agreement by the start of the season.
Noah's agent, Donald Dell, on Monday confirmed an ESPN.com report that the two sides have begun talks. He is due $3.1 million next season in the fourth year of his rookie contract.
Noah is coming off a breakout season in which he averaged 10.7 points and 11.0 rebounds per game while battling plantar fasciitis in his left foot that kept him out of 18 games. His name surfaced in sign-and-trade rumors involving the Big Three free agents — LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh — this summer.
Instead, they united in Miami and the Bulls wound up with Carlos Boozer, giving Chicago an inside scoring presence and another top rebounder to go with Noah.