Chicago Bulls: Why Trading for Dwight Howard Wouldn't Be Worth It

The 2012 NBA playoffs have been disappointing. The playoffs that the shortened season produced have been devoid of any "legendary" performances. Whether you're looking at the tears to the knees of Derrick Rose and Iman Shumpert, or the Oklahoma City Thunder sweeping the 2011 NBA champs, there have been disappointments (unless of course, you happen to like the Spurs or the Thunder).

One of my biggest disappointments was Dwight Howard, AKA Superman, who was a no-show for the playoffs. Worse yet, he griped and complained about his team all season, and then waited until almost right before the playoffs to begin his anti-Stan Van Gundy campaign.

Dwight Howard has established himself as the best center in the league right now, but his recent antics have fans of the NBA questioning how devoted he really is to winning with the Orlando Magic.  

Before the majority of the Orlando Magic’s drama began though, the Magic were third in the East, and looking like legitimate contenders in the playoffs. They had their obvious weaknesses in passing and overall teamwork, but they were a force nonetheless.

Now, it appears that the Orlando Magic are interested in trading Howard. It could be a fatal mistake for them to do so, or it could just what they need to save their team.

This of course, will start a chain reaction of crazy theories and trade propositions, other players and teams are picking up their phones to try to sway Howard to their city. (Miami, leave your phones alone!) Everywhere fans are holding their breath for Howard to come play for their team.

While I’ll be the first to say that Dwight Howard is the most talented center in the league, I’ll also be the first to say that he brings the most baggage. Howard could thrive on whatever team he gets traded to, what I’m worried about is how his new team will handle him. 

That brings us to the Bulls. For the last few seasons, the Bulls have struggled with different positions, two years ago it was Keith Bogans at shooting guard, last season it was the obvious point guard dilemma. Throughout all of that though, Joakim Noah has consistently held the center position down well. Not perfectly of course—he’s not going to dominate most NBA centers, but he will hold his own.

There are still changes that need to be made to the current Bulls roster. Although CJ Watson makes a great backup point guard, the Bulls need to acquire a more viable point guard option for Derrick Rose’s absence. Carlos Boozer angered plenty of Chicago Bull fans with his apathetic attitude after losing in the first round of the playoffs, will he be back?

I’d be lying if I said that I haven’t imagined how the Bulls would look, strutting onto any court with Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose. It could be a more explosive mix than the Miami Heat three. Still, is it worth what the Bulls would end up losing?

In order to acquire Dwight Howard in a trade with the Orlando Magic, the Bulls would need to send players that could help replace the void left by Howard in Orlando. Chicago wouldn’t give up Rose, but they would more than likely end up losing players like Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, or Taj Gibson—maybe all three.

Essentially, the Bulls would be losing Luol Deng, the team leader. They would lose the hustle and unselfishness of Joakim Noah, and they would lose the starting-caliber leader of the bench mob in Taj Gibson. They would also be left without the massive energetic presence that those three provide. So, would it be worth it?

My opinion is no. The Bulls would gain a scoring and rebounding center with Dwight Howard, but they would lose the spirit and energy that Noah, Deng, and/or Gibson bring; and for what? Howard has shown this season that he can be extremely dysfunctional. Not the kind of player to build camaraderie around.

If the Bulls decide to trade for Howard, it’d likely have the Miami effect—two dominant players in Howard and Rose, with the rest of the positions and bench lacking. That’s not how the Bulls have operated thus far, and frankly, I think there are more eligible players available that could really help the Bulls out.

Just throwing a few names out, Chauncey Billups will be a free agent this offseason. Also, Josh Smith wants to be traded to a championship level team. He would be a big step up from Boozer, why not try for him?

There’s so many players that could help the Bulls make a Finals run in the 2012-13 season, any suggestions or ideas? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.