Bulls Rumors: Chicago Must Stay out of Dwight Howard Sweepstakes

The Dwight Howard rumor mill is certainly swirling. 

ESPN's Chris Broussard is saying that if Howard leaves the Magic, he's requesting to be traded to the Nets, Mavericks or Lakers. 

Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago is reporting that the Bulls are interested in joining the Howard sweepstakes. 

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The Bulls figure to offer (Magic GM) [Otis] Smith anyone on their roster in order to make the deal work, with the exception of reigning NBA MVP, Derrick Rose.

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Fans of the Bills had better hope that this is nothing more than a rumor that ever comes to fruition. As great as Howard is, acquiring him would cost the Bulls their greatest asset, which is their depth. 

While this team runs through Rose, opponents have a hard time against the Bulls because they can't focus on one or two guys. If they double team Rose, then he can find the open man. 

That would still be the case of the team's only top-of-the-line starters were Rose and Howard, but the open men wouldn't inflict as much damage. 

This is really simple. With a nucleus of Howard and Rose, the Bulls could get to the playoffs. They may even be able to win a series. But to win a championship, you need to have a strong starting five, or at least a solid rotation of eight or nine guys that log significant, quality minutes.

It's hard to imagine the Bulls putting a package together for Howard that would allow them to maintain their depth. 

I'll admit that a duo of Howard and Rose sounds nice. But going beyond the obvious star appeal of those two players, there's no way that this move would improve the overall makeup of the team. That's what needs to happen if the Bulls are going to win a championship.

Star value is nice, but it won't bring them any closer to a title. 

The Bulls had better hope that Friedell's report is just a rumor. Let one of the teams that Broussard named nab Howard. 

According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, the Bulls are on the brink of signing Rip Hamilton. If they do that and then ink a quality backup point guard, Chicago is the best team in the Eastern Conference. 

They are best served to let others bid on Dwight Howard. Acquiring him wouldn't bring the Bulls any closer to a championship.

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