Fan's Take: An Open Letter to Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman

Dear Chicago Bulls GM Gar Forman,

I hope the NBA Lockout and pending loss of season finds you well.

Mr. Forman, as I believe that the 2011-12 NBA season will not be played while the owners seek a new collective bargaining agreement that creates a hard salary cap and makes the current NHL agreement look like a charity case, I can only hope you are paying attention.

Somewhere in the suburbs of Chicago, a man who once held your position is probably out on a little lake trying to catch some bluegill fish with pieces of corn. He once had a player who was considered "pretty good" at basketball, and was tasked with putting quality pieces around him.

His name? Jerry Krause.

His crime? He kept the Michael Jordan-led Bulls from winning eight or nine championships instead of "only" six.

Krause wasn't aggressive. He fell in love with some of his draft picks and missed out on chances to make the Bulls better for the long haul. Without inheriting the best player to ever play the game, Krause would be known best for serving as a minor league scout for the New York Yankees.

Mr. Forman, please don't be another Krause.

Assume that with the next season lost, three things will happen:

1. Derrick Rose will practice his outside jumper for the next 365 days and will become even more dangerous to opposing teams.

2. Carlos Boozer will become another year older and several seconds slower.

3. Dwight Howard will become a free agent, and the lockout will keep the Orlando Magic from making the types of moves that would convince him to stay in central Florida.

Begin talking with Magic GM Otis Smith right now. Negotiate for Howard and don't be afraid to include your beloved draft picks of Joaquin Noah, Omer Asik and Taj Gibson in your initial offers. Play your cards carefully, but make sure that when the NBA is open for business again, the Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic will be options 1 and 1A for Howard.

If the new CBA creates considerable advantages for teams to keep their own free agents, you'll need to be creative in your marketing of Chicago and playing with Rose to pry Superman away from the warmer climate.

Bring in Oprah. Call up Ditka.

Heck, even have the White House on speed dial. Barack is a huge Bulls fan.

Ultimately, Gar... (Can I call you Gar?) You could probably get Howard away from Orlando with some combination of the following players or draft picks:

Noah, Gibson, Asik, Boozer and Luol Deng.

Let the Magic pick their top three choices, then add your lottery protected pick from the Charlotte Bobcats (from the Tyrus Thomas trade) and another first-round pick or two. If you have to take on the salaries of Hedo Turkoglu or J.J. Redick, fine.

Once you have Rose and Howard playing together, you'll have the next seven to 10 years to watch the hardware come raining in.

And, you can retire and fish with Mr. Krause in peace.

Sincerely,

A Passionate, But Nervous Fan Base