The knee of Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah reportedly will "be an issue all season long." Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times reported Noah's knee, which Noah had exploratory surgery on in May, will be on a completely different level than when he had plantar fasciitis.
Noah could be hampered all season by a knee injury.
Per Cowley, via Fan Sided:
"'Jo's [left] knee is going to be an issue all season,' the source said. 'He has played through pain before with the plantar [fasciitis], but this is completely different, a different level.'
"The source wouldn't go into detail on what exactly was the lingering issue with Noah's knee, especially after he had exploratory surgery in May that was deemed minor. He was asked if Noah's knee would be a problem beyond this season and said, 'I'm not getting into that.'
"General manager Gar Forman would only say in a text on Tuesday that 'Jo's doing well.'"
Noah, the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year, is Chicago's defensive anchor. He stepped up all last season in the absence of Derrick Rose, averaging 12.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per game - numbers Chicago needs to clinch another playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.
Equally as important, Chicago will need Noah against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The LeBron James-led team's weakest area is in the paint, where Noah excels and gives the Bulls an advantage.
If Noah's knee truly is a concern for Chicago, then any trade - if Chicago was ever even considering it - involving backup big man Taj Gibson is likely no longer an option.
