Joakim Noah will begin traveling with the Bulls after having the cast removed from his right hand on Monday.

Tom Thibodeau expects Noah to begin non-contact drills on Tuesday.

The center could be ready to return shortly after the All-Star break.

"With Jo, the next step is getting the cast off, which is going to happen today so you feel good about that," Thibodeau said. "And then he's going to have to work on basketball stuff. His timing, his touch, strengthening his hand.

"So he'll start the non-contact part of practice, and from there once he clears that he can practice with contact. And once he practices with contact then he'll be able to play. He's still pretty much on schedule. He's probably, the way we're looking at it right now, right after the All-Star break."