Chicago Bulls: How a 3-Way Mega-Trade Could Land Dwight Howard

With the condensed 2011-2012 NBA season in full force and the Orlando Magic quickly becoming a sideshow similar to last year's Denver Nuggets, the need for Orlando to trade the franchise's best player since Shaq has never been higher.

Dwight Howard recently commented that he would be willing consider playing for the Chicago Bulls and added them to the list of potential trade partners who he would sign an extension with if traded to their team. The Bulls were added to a select group of acceptable NBA locations which already includes the Lakers, Nets, Mavericks and Clippers.

Everyone in Chicago has been discussing and drooling over the possibility of the Bulls adding Howard for over a year now. The thought of adding Superman has always been more of a pipe dream than anything, but Howard's latest comments have started the rumor mill churning again in Chicago and this time it seems like there could actually be a chance.

With a vault of assets like Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Taj Gibson, Carlos Boozer, C.J. Watson, Omer Asik,  the Charlotte first round pick as well as Chicago's own picks, the Bulls are primed to offer the Magic one of the best deals possible for Superman's services.

Everyone in the nation knows that Orlando's front office needs to get a trade worked out before Howard walks away at the end of the year without the Magic getting any compensation for his departure. Therefore, Chicago needs to do whatever is necessary short of trading Rose to prove it has the best package of building block players and draft picks to obtain Howard's all-world talent.

The question now becomes: How can Chicago move to the top of Orlando's trade partner list?

And the answer is quite simple: Add the Philadelphia 76ers to the trade and create a 3-way deal that benefits all three teams.

The Trade

Trade Breakdown:

Chicago receives Dwight Howard, Ryan Anderson, Chris Duhon and the Magic's 2012 second round pick from Orlando and receives Andre Iguodala and Andres Nocioni from Philadelphia.

Orlando receives Luol Deng, Omer Asik, Carlos Boozer, Jimmy Butler, Charlotte's first round pick and Chicago's 2012 first round picks from the Bulls and receives Spencer Hawes, Lou Williams and Philadelphia's 2012 second round pick from the 76ers.

Philadelphia receives Joakim Noah and C.J. Watson from Chicago and receives Hedo Turkoglu, Quentin Richardson and the Magic's 2012 first round pick from Orlando.

Orlando

Orlando Gets:

Carlos Boozer (PF) - $13.5M

Luol Deng (SF) - $12.3M

Lou Williams (PG)- $5.2M

Spencer Hawes (C) - $4.1M

Omar Asik (C) - $1.9M

Jimmy Butler (SF) - $1.0M

Charlotte First Round Pick

Chicago 2012 First Round Pick

Philadelphia 2012 Second Round Pick

Total of $38.0M

Orlando Loses:

Dwight Howard (C) - $18.1M

Hedo Turkoglu (SF) - $11.0M

Chris Duhon (PG) - $3.5M

Quentin Richardson (SF) - $2.4M

Ryan Anderson (PF) - $2.2M

Orlando 2012 First Round Pick

Orlando 2012 Second Round Pick

Total of $37.0M (Orlando will use B. Bass trade exception of $4.3M)

Lineup Before Trade:

PG: J. Nelson, C. Duhon*

SG: J. Richardson, J.J. Redick, V. Wafer

SF: H. Turkoglu*, Q. Richardson*, E. Clark

PF: R. Anderson*, G. Davis, J. Harper

C: D. Howard*, D. Orton

Lineup After Trade:

PG: J. Nelson, L. Williams*

SG: J. Richardson, J.J. Redick, V. Wafer

SF: L. Deng*, J. Butler*, E. Clark

PF: C. Boozer*, G. Davis, J. Harper

C: S. Hawes*, O. Asik*, D. Orton

** players involved in trade

Why Orlando Makes Trade:

It gets two promising young centers in Hawes and Asik to replace Howard. Hawes gives the Magic a more offensive minded center to provide low post scoring while Asik gives them a very strong defensive presence (Asik is as good of a defensive center as it gets in the NBA).

The Magic also upgrade the small forward position from Turkoglu to Deng. Deng is a younger player who is a better defender and a more balanced player overall. He will provide a vast upgrade over Turkoglu for years to come especially on the defensive end and would be a cornerstone of Orlando's future.

Orlando also receives Boozer, who is as an offensive minded power forward. Though the Magic would not want to part with the vastly improved and youthful floor spacer in Anderson for the overpaid Boozer, Anderson may not pan out in the long run while Boozer is already a proven commodity. Plus, Orlando has a defensive minded power forward to backup Boozer on their roster already in Big Baby so Boozer's scoring would be welcomed.

Finally, the Magic substantially upgrade the backup point guard position from the overpaid Duhon to a scoring 6th man of the year candidate in Williams. Williams is the player who tips the scales for Orlando pulling the trigger because of his scoring abilities at the guard position. He would be the first scorer off the bench and could also fill in as the starter if Nelson gets hurt or is not playing well much better than Duhon would.

Summary:

Orlando is forced to trade Howard before the end of the year. The key for the Magic's front office is to maximize their return for his services. This three team trade trade allows them to not only get value for Howard's services in terms of rebuilding for the future (two 1st round picks), but it makes them a competitive team in the eastern conference right now. With a starting five of Nelson, Richardson, Deng, Boozer and Hawes and the first four off the bench being Williams, Redick, Davis and Asik, Orlando would have a strong nine man rotation immediately after the trade.

The Magic would replace Howard (who is gone after this year no matter what) with two young and upcoming centers in Asik and Hawes. It dumps the horrible salary of Turkoglu for an all-star caliber two way player in Deng. It is also dumps the bad contract of Duhon for a younger more explosive offensive player in Williams who could contend for 6th man of the year for the next few years. Finally, the Magic get a proven offensive scorer in Boozer who coupled with the two young centers and Big Baby will provide Orlando with a strong front line on both the offensive and defensive ends to start over with in the post-Howard era.

Starting 5: Nelson, Richardson, Deng, Boozer and Hawes. First 4 off Bench: Williams, Redick, Davis and Asik.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia Gets:

Joakim Noah (C) - $12.0M

Hedo Turkoglu (SF) - $11.0M

C.J. Watson (PG) - $3.4M

Quentin Richardson (SF) - $2.4M

Orlando 2012 First Round Pick

Total: $28.8M

Philadelphia Loses:

Andre Iguodala (SF) - $13.5M

Andres Nocioni (SF) - $6.7M

Lou Williams (PG) - $5.2M

Spencer Hawes (C) - $4.1M

Philadelphia 2012 Second Round Pick

Total: $29.5M (Philly will have to use its M. Speights trade exception of $2.75M)

Lineup Before Trade:

PG: Jrue Holiday, Lou Williams*

SG: Evan Turner, Jodie Meeks*

SF: Andre Iguodala*, Thaddeus Young, Andres Nocioni*

PF: Elton Brand, Craig Brackins, Tony Battie

C: Spencer Hawes*, Nikola Vucevic

Lineup After Trade:

PG: Jrue Holdiay, C.J. Watson*

SG: Evan Turner, Jodie Meeks

SF: Hedo Turkoglu*, Quinten Richardson*, Thaddeus Young

PF: Elton Brand, Craig Brackins, Tony Battie

C: Joakim Noah*, Nikola Vucevic

* players involved in trade

Why Philadelphia Makes Trade:

First and foremost, Philly lands a top notch center who is already locked into a long term deal in Noah when its current center, Hawes, is in the last year of his deal. Noah would be a defensive anchor and foundation piece for years to come.

With Iguodala no longer part of the picture in Philly, the Sixers are able to clear up more time in the rotation on the wings for Turner and Young. Iguodala's presence will be missed, but Turkoglu still has the ability to fill the box score even if his defense is nowhere near the same level as Iguodala's. Hedo will, however, save Philly around $2.5M this year (prorated, of course), $3.0M next year and he has a non-guaranteed third year, unlike Iggy.

Philadelphia dumps the bad contract of Nocioni and replaces it with an equally, if not more, productive small forward in Richardson. More importantly, this upgrade at the backup small forward spot is done at a $4.3M savings that will be used with Hawes outgoing salary to make up a large portion of Noah's incoming salary.

Finally, the trade opens up more point guard minutes for Holiday who is the team's floor general of the future in addition to shedding some salary by moving Williams for Watson. Watson has provided strong offense and above average defense off the bench for the Bulls over the past two years and would fill Williams' role for the 76ers at a $2M discount.

Summary:

Philly is close to being a true contender in the east, but it needs to make some moves to ensure that is true for the foreseeable future. The 76ers can turn one very good player into multiple good players and also position the team for long term success.

The Sixers use Iguodala as the centerpiece of a trade, as has been rumored in the past. This trade uses his contract to bring in a topnotch center in Noah, who would serve as a cornerstone for the next half decade. Turkoglu would replace Iggy in the short term since he only has one year left on his contract after this year, and long term since his expiring salary can be used in 2013 to help bring in a star.

Watson fills the same role as Williams, but at a discounted price while simultaneously keeping the backup point guard spot a position of strength for the bench. Philly would also get to dump the horrible contract of Nocioni for a more productive player in Richardson at a more than $4M discount.

The 76ers will continue competing in the east immediately after the trade with the additions of Noah, Turkoglu, Richardson and Watson. However, the trade also puts Philadelphia in better position in the long term by bringing in an additional 2012 first round pick from Orlando, locking in a franchise center in Noah and by moving Iguodala for Hedo who will be an expiring contract next year.

Starting 5: Holiday, Turner, Turkoglu, Brand and Noah. First 4 off Bench: Watson, Meeks, Richardson and Young.

Chicago

Chicago Gets:

Dwight Howard (C) - $18.1M

Andre Iguodala (SF) - $13.5M

Andres Nocioni (SF) - $6.7M

Chris Duhon (PG) - $3.5M

Ryan Anderson (PF) - $2.2M

Total: $44.0M

Chicago Loses:

Carlos Boozer (PF) - 13.5M

Loul Deng (SF) - $12.3

Joakim Noah (C) - $12.0M

C.J. Watson (PG) - $3.4M

Omer Asik (C) - $1.9M

Jimmy Butler (SF) - $1.0M

Total: $44.1M

Lineup Before Trade:

PG: Derrick Rose, C.J. Watson*

SG: Richard Hamilton, Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver

SF: Loul Deng*, Jimmy Butler*

PF: Carlos Boozer*, Taj Gibson, Brian Scalabrine

C: Joakim Noah*, Omer Asik*

Lineup After Trade:

PG: Derrick Rose, Chris Duhon*

SG: Richard Hamilton, Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver

SF: Andre Iguodala*, Andres Nocioni

PF: Taj Gibson, Ryan Anderson*, Brian Scalabrine

C: Dwight Howard*

** players involved in trade

Why Chicago Makes Trade:

They get Howard, who is the best center in NBA, a top 5 player in NBA, young, the best defensive player in NBA and steadily improving offensive player. As long as he agrees to sign an extension before any trade, the Bulls are set for the future with a Rose Howard combination.

Chicago would not want to part with Deng in almost any trade. However, the Bulls would do so here because it would be getting Howard and acquiring a small forward with equal talents in Iguodala. Iggy is a tremendous all around player and would create one of the most dynamic fast break and high flying offensive attacks teamed up with Rose and Howard due to all three players' freakish athleticism.

At the power forward position, the Bulls get to dump Boozer's salary, keep Gibson and would also acquire a great floor spacing power forward in Anderson. His ability to hit three point shots would be a great compliment to Gibson's low post talents and will make him a great backup and alternate weapon in the offense.

Summary:

The Bulls love this trade because they land the unquestioned best center and a clear top 5 player in the league in Howard. He is the type of can't-miss prize player that compels Chicago management to blow up the entire roster and make pretty drastic changes to a team that is already a top 5 team in the NBA in order to swing a deal.

Because Orlando would want to include Turkoglu in any trade for Howard, the Bulls would have to include Deng to make a trade work. Though Deng is almost as untouchable as Rose, he is not completely untouchable if the right deal presents itself (Howard being the right deal, of course). Bringing in Philadelphia as a 3rd trade partner allows the Bulls to send Deng to the Magic and allows the Magic to dump Turkoglu without the Bulls having to take him. The Sixers would send Iguodala to Chicago and would take on Hedo's contract for the right to acquire Noah as well as Orlando first round pick in 2012.

Chicago would also get Anderson from Orlando, who would come off the bench for the Bulls as a floor spacing power forward. His skills would fit perfectly with Rose and Howard. Gibson would move into the starting power forward role beside Howard since Chicago would ship Boozer to Orlando as part of the deal. Chicago would have a three man center/power forward rotation with Howard, Gibson and Anderson. It would need to pick up another center after the trade to add depth at the center position (think Joel Przybilla type) .

In order to make the trade work, Chicago would need to bring back two former Bulls in Duhon and Nocioni and absorb both players' bad contracts. It would also have to give up its first round pick next year as well as the Charlotte first round pick for the trade to work out for every team. Even though Chicago would lose both first round picks, it would receive Orlando's second round pick next year to add to its own second rounder which both could be used to to draft inexpensive rookie-scale players to fill out the roster.

Though Chicago management would not want to give up Deng, Noah, Asik and the first rounders or take on Duhon and Nocioni's bloated contracts, it would gladly do so in order to land Howard, Iguodala and Anderson while getting to keep Rose, Hamilton, Brewer, Korver and Gibson.

Starting 5: Rose, Hamilton, Iguodala, Gibson and Howard. First 4 off Bench: Duhon, Brewer, Korver and Anderson.

All Three Teams Are Winners!

The reason this 3-way trade could happen is because of one simple fact... one truth... one inevitability... Dwight Howard will be traded before this year's NBA trade deadline.

Will this 3-way trade happen? Probably not.

Should it happen? Absolutely.

Why? All three teams benefit and are winners.

Chicago Recap: It gets the prized player in Howard, but also picks up Iguodala and Anderson, keeps Gibson, Hamilton and Brewer and dumps Boozer's contract. It loses Noah, Deng, Asik, Watson, its 2012 first round pick and Charlotte's first round pick and has to take on the bad contracts of Duhon and Nocioni, but it would all be worth it since this trade would make Chicago the championship favorite.

Overall: Winner.

Orlando Recap: It is over the barrel with the Howard situation and gets a great return for his services through this trade. The Magic receive Deng, Boozer, Williams, Hawes and Asik as well as Chicago's 2012 first round pick and Charlotte's first round pick. Though it loses Howard, Anderson and its 2012 first round pick, it is able to dump the bad contracts of Turkoglu and Duhon and remain an eastern conference contender this year and in the future.

Overall: Winner.

Philadelphia Recap: It finally moves a player the team has been rumored to be shopping for the past couple years in Iguodala and ends up solidifying its position as an eastern conference contender in the future by doing so. The Sixers lose Iguodala, Williams and Hawes, but get Noah, Watson and Hedo to take their places. The Sixers also shed the bad contract of Nocioni for a better and cheaper player in Richardson and acquire Orlando's 2012 first round pick to add to its own 2012 first round pick.

Overall: Winner.