Dwight Howard Open to Playing for Bulls, Loves Derrick Rose

Dwight Howard can opt out if his contract with the Magic following the season and it’s a near certainty that he will. He’s already provided the Magic a list of teams to whom he’d prefer to be traded. On top of the three-team list that reportedly includes the Nets, Lakers, and Mavericks, Dwight is said to be interested in the Clippers. He didn’t appear to have any interest in joining the Chicago Bulls, but his comments to the Chicago Tribune indicate he’s open to the possibility.

“If I could play with Derrick right now and God wanted that to happen, it will happen,” Howard told the Tribune. “It has nothing to do with me not wanting to play with Derrick Rose. I love him. That’s my brother.”

Yahoo! reported last month that Adidas doesn’t want Howard in Chicago because they want to keep their two biggest basketball stars in separate markets (Derrick Rose is their other). Even team VP John Paxson essentially confirmed that story. But Dwight said something else.

“It has nothing to do with Adidas,” Howard said. “In fact, Adidas would love that because me and Derrick have the same guy.”

I’m not really buying it from Dwight. Do you really think he would tell the truth if Adidas were keeping him from Chicago? And even if Dwight sounds open to playing for the Bulls, this wasn’t exactly the most glowing way of saying so. The two most intriguing possibilities to me look like the Clippers and Mavericks (especially if Dallas signs Deron Williams too).

Photo Credit: CSPA via US PRESSWIRE