Recent trade rumors are out that the Chicago Bulls are planning to deal its veteran center Joakim Noah after the December 14 deadline for trading newly-signed free agents passes as the team focuses on having a future with Pau Gasol.

Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler noted that the Windy City franchise might be ready to explore trades involving Noah due to his "declining role and production" in new coach Fred Hoiberg's system.

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Noah, the 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year awardee, had been the Bull's starting center for a number of years until Gasol entered the picture last season. This year, the 35-year-old Spaniard was named as Hoiberg's undisputed starter at the no. 5 spot, relegating Noah to the bench for the first time in years.

Noah is reportedly initially fine with the change, but reports before the opening day of the season said that the eight-year pro was not happy with the team's decision, saying that it was not his idea to come off the bench.

This led to rumors that Noah would not choose to re-sign with the Bulls when his contract expires next summer and he becomes an unrestricted free agent, as per Sports World Report.

Recent speculations emerged that the Mavericks are interested in snagging Noah as part of their continued search for a reliable interior defender.

The effects of the botched DeAndre Jordan deal are said to be still bothering team owner Mark Cuban and Fansided noted that "the Dallas Mavericks are interested in acquiring the 30-year-old big man".

Actually, the Mavs and Bulls are off to surprisingly good starts this season, carrying 13-11 and 13-8 records for the sixth spot in the West and third spot in the East respectively, but still a deal with Noah as the centerpiece may not be far from happening.

At this point of the season, it is highly likely that the Bulls are contemplating on dealing Noah than trying to re-sign him next summer when other interested teams may offer him something the team could no longer afford and then lose him for nothing.

TagsNBA Trade Rumors, NBA trade rumors 2015, Chicago Bulls trade rumors, Joakim Noah