Chicago Bulls: Is Dwight Howard Worth Reconstructing the Team?

Usually, teams that finish with the best record in the NBA wouldn't consider acquiring a player sure to completely change their identity. Then again, how often does a 6'11" monster with amazing athleticism, proven success and magnetic personality become available? Not too often.

The Bulls may not have a shot at adding Dwight Howard to the fold, but if they can, is it worth what it will cost them? Here are the factors involved. Do you think adding Howard would make sense if the opportunity became more reality than speculation?

The Cost

Let's be clear. Aside from Derrick Rose, the Bulls would be gutted of every current asset in the organization. Benny The Bull better watch his butt; he might just be included in the deal.

We're talking, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver's expiring contract and a pick could be the asking price to make the deal work. That is a lot, regardless of who or what you're getting back.

Any way you look at it, the Bulls would be sacrificing proven depth to acquire a superstar big man. Some fans will rejoice because another major household name is added to the roster. Some will be ecstatic because they truly value the dual superstar approach, but some fans will not be so optimistic.

Some fans will criticize Bulls management, asking the question, "Since when do you break up a 62-20 team?" The only thing that would quiet the naysayers is championships. Regular season success would mean nothing, as a team with the best overall record was dismantled to bring Howard aboard.

Also, just to make the deal work, the Bulls would have to take on the contract of Gilbert Arenas or Hedo Turkoglu. Neither of them is inviting, but right now, Arenas' deal is the worse, which means the Bulls would probably have to take that one.

Although I think Arenas' days of being a distraction are over, likewise, his days of being a prime-time scorer are done as well. So the Bulls would be saddled with an albatross of a deal, about 20 million per year for the next three years.

Unless they can find an Eskimo to sell an air conditioning unit, this will drastically impact their ability to add players around Howard and Rose.

Is this too big of a risk and too steep a price to pay?

The Possible Return

The best big man in the world. The best center since Shaquille O'Neal. The top interior defender to match with a master defensive technician and strategist in head coach Tom Thibodeau. Most importantly, matching the game's best young perimeter player with its best young pivot player in his prime.

Even though depth would immediately become an issue and tip-toeing around Arenas' contract becomes an obstacle, its still an attractive scenario. Acquiring role players should be the easiest its been in over 10 years.

Dynasties in the NBA are about two star players, a coach and the role players to support the system. The Bulls would have three-fourths of that already in the fold. What wing player, veteran point guard and veteran big man wouldn't want to join this movement for a championship?

Most importantly, the Bulls would finally have an offensive identity. The interior defense would be as strong as ever, and Thibodeau can hand pick the types of players that he knows will fit his defensive system.

As far as offense, the Bulls would need shooters and bench scoring to make the talent function as a unit. Who knows, maybe Gilbert Arenas would embrace his role as a possible sixth man and show a glimpse of his former self. The Bulls wouldn't need 25 points per game Gilbert; about half of that would suffice.

To make the deal work from a money standpoint, the Magic may have to include Ryan Anderson. He is the prefect type of role player for this type of team.

Are these possibilities worth pursuing, as nothing is guaranteed?

My Conclusion

While I appreciate the way the Bulls have built this team, and I love Deng, Noah and Boozer, this is Dwight Howard, or moreover, Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose as a tandem. This is like a combination of Kobe Bryant/Shaquille O'Neal and John Stockton/Karl Malone. From a basketball standpoint, that is a once in a lifetime opportunity. From a business standpoint, it's equally as rare.

The Bulls are already among the NBA's most popular teams, and Derrick Rose is among its most famous players. Rose and Howard finished one and two in the MVP voting. No NBA team has ever had two players join forces after finishing at the top of the league's MVP voting.

It is a huge risk. If Howard gets hurt, it all goes down the drain. The Bulls become Derrick Rose and a bunch of guys, which is worse than what the Bulls are now. If Rose gets hurt, the Bulls become a little worse than what the Orlando Magic were this year.

That said, its a risk you have to take. Neither player has shown any history of injuries, and they are both in their early 20s. If this deal becomes a real possibility, John Paxson and Gar Forman have to do it.

There is more than one way to build a champion. The Bulls may very well be on their way with the current core, give or take a piece, but the competition will be stiff. With this deal, as I said, there are no sure things, but I'll take my chances with Rose, Howard and role players any day.