Bulls Trade Rumors: Latest Inside Info on Dwight Howard Talks

Ken Berger of CBS Sports wrote on Sunday that the Orlando Magic would get into serious trade talks with the Chicago Bulls regarding Dwight Howard.  The only sticking point is Howard’s reluctance to commit long-term to the Bulls.

Chicago could offer the best package to the Magic for Howard and the enormous contract of Hedo Turkoglu.  Plus, it would give Howard the a great chance to win a championship, which is what he wants, right?

Apparently he does not want to win bad enough to move to Chicago for a number of years.  Howard is adamant that the list of teams he would sign with is limited to Dallas, New Jersey and the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The feeling is growing that the Magic will hang on to the big man and gamble re-signing him this summer or losing him to free agency for nothing.  The Magic’s front office is not impressed with what the Mavericks, Nets and Lakers have to offer in a trade. 

They were, however, interested in Chicago’s package of Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, 7" Omer Asik and a first-round draft pick in exchange for Howard and Turkoglu.  

The talks are almost dead since the Bulls would not risk giving up all that for a player that would not commit to the team for the future. 

The Bulls (34-9) have the best record in the NBA and have the roster to go deep into the playoffs.  There is a good chance that they will run into the Miami Heat in the postseason, which would make for a long series.  The front office in Chicago will take a shot at the Heat and the rest of the Eastern Conference with the players they have, but would like to improve the team if possible. 

In last year's playoffs, the Bulls were knocked out by Miami in five games.  They are a better team this time around and could give the Heat a longer series even with the players already on the roster. 

Unless Howard changes his mind before Thursday and is willing to sign a long-term contract to stay in the Windy City, you can almost certainly count the Bulls out of the running for Howard.