Bulls Trade Rumors: Why Chicago Must Make a Play for Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard may have requested a trade to the New Jersey Nets, but that shouldn't stop the Chicago Bulls from making a push for the superstar center.

The Bulls, on the back of Derrick Rose, made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals last season before falling to the star-studded Miami Heat. Normally, such a performance wouldn't call for roster upheavals, but normally, a player of Howard's caliber isn't available.

Additionally, while both Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah are solid athletes, their health bills read like a book of uncertainty. Howard, on the other hand, is the epitome of fitness and built to withstand the rigors that come with playing in the low-post.

Is this to say that both Boozer and Noah aren't? Not at all, but Boozer has already proved costly on the other end of the ball, and Noah has struggled with injuries over the past two years. He remains a fan favorite, but Howard would be a clear upgrade.

While Chicago has the assets to make a competitive offer for the star center, negotiations between them and the Orlando Magic stand to get complicated. The Bulls would love to include Boozer in any deal, and may insist upon doing so if the Magic want them to take back Hedo Turkoglu's contract.

Additionally, Chicago may be reluctant to include both Luol Deng and Noah in any package for Howard. Both play integral roles in the Bulls game plans and are young enough where they are still improving.

That being said, there are those that believe both Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum are worth the price of Howard, and if they are worth giving up, so are Deng and Noah.

It's never easy to mess with a good thing, and the Bulls have a good thing going, but Howard presents them with the opportunity to get even better. With or without Boozer alongside him, the center locks-down the low-post and opens up floor even more for the reigning MVP Derrick Rose.

Howard is a once-in-a-blue-moon acquisition who stands to make an impact unlike any other addition Chicago can potentially make; he is a caliber of player that even a talented team like Bulls can ill afford to pass on. 

So, as the Bulls approach the negotiating table, they would be wise to keep an open mind, because when it comes to Howard, their entire roster, sans Rose, should be made readily available.

 
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