Report: Timberwolves to pursue Joakim Noah

Tom Thibodeau is looking to gather the troops now that he's back in the league.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, headed up by Thibodeau, will reportedly chase Joakim Noah in free agency, sources tell Mitch Lawrence of The Sporting News.

Noah, a nine-year veteran of the Chicago Bulls, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Under Thibodeau's tutelage, Noah earned a Defensive Player of the Year award, three All-Defensive team nominations, and an All-NBA First-Team nod.

Thibodeau holds the final say over player personnel decisions, and the Timberwolves figure to have nearly $30 million in cap room.

The Timberwolves' reported interest also coincides with reports that Noah was unhappy with his situation in Chicago, although his agent Bill Duffy roundly dismissed those claims. The Bulls, meanwhile, reportedly consider re-signing Noah a "high priority."

Hampered by shoulder injuries, Noah appeared in just 29 games this season while posting averages of 4.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 21.9 minutes as a bench cog.