NBA Free Agents 2011: How Acquiring Dwight Howard Would Change Bulls' Targets

So now there are some real rumblings about the possibilities of the Bulls acquiring Dwight Howard. This is the one deal that would not only put the Bulls ahead or equal with Miami, it also puts the franchise in line to dominate for the next five years.

This would obviously change the Bulls' current setup, but it may not alter the free agent targets all that much. If you consider the players that could be included: Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng and Taj Gibson, the Bulls would really be a different team.

That is what scares many Bulls fans, but the union of arguably the two best players at the two most difficult positions to fill would be worth it. Especially if you consider that neither is over 26 years old.

Now the Bulls would be left with Derrick Rose, Keith Bogans, Ronnie Brewer, Brandon Bass, whom they would likely receive as well, with Dwight Howard in the middle.

I don't think the Bulls would sit still with that team; they would now be even more preferred by veterans who fall into the mid-level exception range. Players like Jason Richardson and Caron Butler could sign for the MLE and fill out the rest of what would be the best starting lineup in the NBA:

PG Derrick Rose

SG Jason Richardson

SF Caron Butler

PF Brandon Bass

C Dwight Howard

As for the bench, well, that could be as strong, if not better than last year. Consider this as the new Bench Mob:

CJ Watson

Ronnie Brewer

Jimmy Butler

Omer Asik

Hedo Turkoglu or Gilbert Arenas (whom they'd also have to take with the Howard deal)

Tracy McGrady (whom they could sign for the veteran's minimum)

Kurt Thomas (who should re-sign for his best possible shot at a ring)

That 12-man roster is not only awesome, but it is possible. One huge obstacle still remains. Does Howard mind the cold weather? It is believed that is an issue. If he can be sold on the cold, no other team has a better package to offer, except for possibly the Los Angeles Clippers. But their recent offer to DeAndre Jordan would seem to imply they are committed to him in the middle.

This is the deal and scenario Bulls fans should be praying for. The Bulls can't change the weather in Chicago, but this deal would change the climate in the NBA.