Joakim Noah will not be the centerpiece of a return package in a trade for Carmelo Anthony.
The Chicago Bulls locked up the center long-term Sunday night, coming to terms with the lanky big man on a five-year, $60 million extension, ESPN.com reports.
Noah was a relative disappointment during his first two seasons, but took major strides in the 2009-10 campaign, scoring 11 points and bringing down 11 rebounds per game. He also set career highs in blocks and assists and transformed into the energy guy with strong intangibles that he was at University of Florida.
With Carlos Boozer out for eight weeks, Noah's role will likely be expanded to include more opportunities to score with the ball, opposed to collecting his routine garbage points under the basket.
Taj Gibson, who had a promising rookie season, will join him in the frontcourt in Boozer's absence.
"We're very happy for Joakim because Chicago was always his first choice," said agent Dan Fegan.
The Bulls, who finished last season as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, are expected to make a major jump this year despite missing out on superstars this past summer as their young core matures alongside incoming veterans Boozer and Ronnie Brewer.
