When Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski wrote on Monday that the Bulls could be a “sleeper” team in the race for Dwight Howard, I got more excited than I was at the prospect of Tracy McGrady coming to the Bulls in 2000. I had a tempered excitement level last summer when Dwyane Wade & LeBron James met with the Bulls, but that’s only because Bulls fans have a tortured past from failed free agent pursuits and blockbuster trade rumors since the T-Mac chase.
Things are different these days. The Bulls are a destination instead of bad team flushed with tons of cap space & no building blocks. So the news that they are lurking in the shadows of the D-12 sweepstakes elicits dreams of D Rose throwing lobs to the best big man in the game.
I don’t even want to touch the “should the Bulls give up Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Taj Gibson & two 1st round picks for Howard” because it’s remedial basketball that I refuse to partake in. If you don’t want Howard on your favorite team, then you are a basketball fool. Sorry, but it’s the sad truth.
And before you ask, I do believe that Howard would sign an extension with the Bulls. I know he hates cold weather, but it’s not like the Bulls play their games at Murray Park in the dead of winter. If Howard is serious about winning titles, weather won’t mean a damn thing in the end.
So, how can the Bulls pair the best point guard & center on the planet together? I’m glad you asked.
Chris Paul would give Kobe's Lakers the floor general they have been searching for.
The first step is hoping Mitch Kupchak & the Lakers make a full court press for Chris Paul. SI.com reported Monday night that the two sides have had exploratory talks, but nothing serious… yet.
Despite what Laker “fans” and idiot NBA writers might tell you, the team who embarrassed themselves in the playoffs last year only have one asset anyone wants. Sorry, but a 31 year old Pau Gasol is not going to get it done for one of the best point guards in the NBA. Neither is Lamar Kardashian.
If the Lake Show wants Paul before the season (or anytime), Andrew Bynum will have to be a part of a package going to New Orleans. That’s where the Bulls come in.
If Bynum goes to the Hornets, and Paul goes to team with Kobe, it takes the Lakers out of the Howard race.
What, you think Gasol & Odom would get it done to get Howard to L.A. too? Excuse me while I roll over in laughter for a few minutes…
Now, where was I?
Otis Smith is slowly & painfully coming to the realization that Howard will leave his team next summer. So why not maximize his value and get solid pieces in return now? The offers will only decrease once the season starts.
Honestly, would you rather have an aging Gasol (who has proven he can’t be your best player & averages $18.7 million per for the next 3 years) & Odom ($8.9 million per for the next 2 years), or the aforementioned package from the Bulls? Noah, Deng & Gibson are all in their 20′s and could give the Magic solid pieces to stay competitive & rebuild. The Bulls can also take back Hedo Turkoglu’s albatross deal to save Orlando money. Oh, and forget the Brook Lopez & two 1st round picks from the Nets. Lopez is an over-hyped stiff who rebounds like Rebecca Lobo.
It’s a no-brainer for the Magic, but it’s contingent on Paul going to La La Land before Otis Smith gets tantalized by Andrew Bynum. You and I know how brittle Bynum is, and that he has the knees of a 47 year old, but teams still lust after him. I’d prefer the Bulls deal over Bynum & whatever other garbage L.A. will try and send to Orlando if the Paul deal doesn’t go down, but that’s just me.
So, there is hope, Bulls fans. Dwight Howard’s best option (as it’s been since May) is to come to Chicago. And if CP3 goes to Kobe’s show for Bynum before the season starts or by the deadline, you can have legitimate hope that Howard will end up catching those alley-oops from the MVP. Now you know what I want for Christmas.
@Louie_Ruffolo8
