Joakim Noah: ‘I Want to Stay in Chicago’

With trade talks swirling, Noah tells the press in Chicago that though he understands the business aspect, he wants to remain in town: “It’s a strange feeling, because any given day you can always get traded to a city that you really don’t know anything about,’ Noah said Wednesday after speaking to students at Lathrop Elementary School. ‘But at the same time, you look at the big picture. Things could be a lot worse. But my goal is I want to stay in Chicago. I think we can do something really special here. I hope that I can be a part of it’ … ‘Obviously, Carmelo is a great player,’ Noah said. ‘But we are also very good right now. I really enjoy playing with guys like Luol Deng and Taj Gibson and other guys who are rumored (to be) in that trade. So, yeah, either way it will be fine. I think it’s part of the business,’ he said. ‘I think it is something that happens in sports. I think right now I just have to get ready to control what I can control as a player, and that’s getting ready for the season. As far as I know, I am still part of the Bulls today. I look at (being desired by another team) as a compliment, but I want to stay in Chicago. I also understand the caliber of player Carmelo Anthony is, so we will see what happens.'”