Nice to have the NBA back (unofficially) and nice to do my first fanpost in months.

Anyways, before I get to the main part of the post, I just wanted to throw a few things out there...

1. I like Noah and Deng, any upcoming trade hypotheticals are not a knock on their game.

2. You guys are sick of reading about stupid hypotheticals like Boozer and Bogans for Howard, so I will try to make my trades logical.

3. This is all contigent on Howard agreeing to an extension with Chicago. But if he would go to the Nets or Clippers, then why not Chicago. It's a big market, he's friends with Rose, chance for a championship, etc.

With all that being said, Chicago has to do anything possible outside of trading D Rose to get Howard. That duo would set the franchise up for multiple positions, and having 2 of the top 5 players in the NBA is a no brainer. Now that's not brilliant anaylsis, I think most people would agree with that, so the question is why isn't Chicago the frontuunner?

ESPN reported the other day that the Nets are preparing an offer of Brook Lopez and two first rounders for Dwight Howard, plus they will take back Turkoglu's contract. Now this is by no means a done deal, but if this is a leading offer, than the Bulls could blow it out of the water. A lot of people are speculating that the Lakers will offer something like Bynum and Odom for Howard and Turkoglu, but I still think the Bulls could make a better offer. I'm biased, but tell me if I'm wrong.

Trade 1: Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, and Taj Gibson for Howard and Turkoglu. The Bulls can also throw in 2 or 3 first rounders, including the Charlotte one that will be good in about 2 years. This trade is about a million dollars off in the ESPN trade machine, but tha trade machine doesn't reflect the new trade rules.

-Orlando would get two good pieces in Noah and Deng, a promising/cheap player in Gibson, and draft picks for the future. Thats better than Brook Lopez who is a slightly above average scorer, but a weak rebounder and defender. I also think it's better than Bynum/Odom becuase Bynum is injury prone and Odom is starting to get old. Plus the Charlotte pick the Bulls could include would be good, and the Bulls could throw in a guy like Nikola Mirotic if necessary. Additionally, after the Magic amnesty Arenas and get rid of Turkoglu here they would have no horrible contracts on their team.

Trade 2: Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, and Kyle Korver for Howard, Turkoglu, Redick, and Quentin Richardson. Bulls also include some first rounders mentioned above.

-Orlando immediately gets 3 starters to go along with Jameer Nelson, they get some pieces for the future, and is a playoff team. The problem with this deal for Orlando is they are taking back a lot of cap, but except that Boozer deal, none of them are bad contracts. Plus Otis Smith has traditionally paid tons of money for his team.

Trade 3: Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Omer Asik, and Ronnie Brewer for Howard. Bulls would also include the first rounders I mentioned above earlier. -This one is unlikely, but if Orlando doesn't want Deng or Boozer's contract then they may want do this.

I sincerely believe that deals 1 and 2 specifically are better than any other offer that the Magic will get for Howard from the Lakers, Nets, Knicks, Mavericks, Clippers. I only mention those teams because those are the realistic places that Howard would consider signing an extension, but if the Clippers offer Griffin then all bets are off.

For any fans that think the Bulls are offering too much in deals 1 and 2, all I can say is that the opportunities to trade for once in a generation Centers like Dwight Howard are pretty rare. As for how the Bulls would look after lets say deal 1 because that is the best offer in my opinion, they would be great.

PG: Rose, Watson

SG: Brewer, Korver, Jimmy Butler

SF: (Richardson, Prince, Caron Butler), Turkoglu

PF: Boozer, Thomas

C: Howard, Asik

The Bulls could still get a scorer with the MLE, and then they could sign another big man for a little more depth. I think that right there is a title team though. This may all be an unrealistic dream, but I'm not sure why. Let me know what you guys think.