NahLaterz said:Sources: Rockets agree to trade Howard to Wolves for James
By Marc Stein
ESPN.com
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets, who have been discussing a Mike James-for-Juwan Howard swap in one form or another since the February trade deadline, have agreed in principle to finally complete that deal this month, ESPN.com has learned.
An announcement of the trade's completion could be made as early as this week, according to NBA front-office sources.
The holdup stems from the possibility that another player or two could be added to the deal, sources say. The teams, though, have verbally agreed to a straight-up exchange of James for Howard at the very least.
The Timberwolves beat out Houston for James' free-agent signature last summer because of their willingness to include a trade kicker in the well-traveled point guard's four-year, $23.4 million contract, but the acquisition was questioned from the start after Minnesota landed Randy Foye in the 2006 draft.
James then struggled to make an impact with his new team, averaging just 10.1 points in 25.3 minutes per game and eventually losing his starting spot after enjoying a breakout season in Toronto in 2005-06.
A strong recruiting pitch from Wolves forward Kevin Garnett -- along with the trade bonus he held out for in negotiations -- convinced James to spurn similar financial offers from the Dallas Mavericks and the Rockets, even though he maintains an offseason home in Houston. But the intense Garnett and the chatty James clashed almost from the start, according to club sources, adding to the Wolves' remorse after it quickly became apparent that there wasn't rotation room for James and Foye.
So the Wolves decided by midseason that they would try to move their lone significant offseason acquisition and were on the verge of sending James to Houston for Howard when the deal fell through on Feb. 22, in part because the Rockets were reluctant to change the chemistry on a team that wound up overcoming numerous injuries to win 52 games.
But Houston's interest in James and adding depth to its backcourt under new coach Rick Adelman hasn't wavered, thanks to the 31-year-old's successful stint with the Rockets in the second half of the 2004-05 season.
"This has been difficult," James told ESPN.com in late March when asked to describe his debut season with the Wolves. "Physically, mentally, emotionally … all of the above."
Garnett, meanwhile, is expected to welcome the arrival of Howard, a 34-year-old former All-Star, after publicly calling -- repeatedly -- for more size in the Wolves' frontcourt and more of a veteran presence in the locker room.
Howard averaged 9.7 points and 5.9 rebounds in 26.6 minutes per game last season. His contract is one year shorter than James' deal, with just two seasons to run at $14.3 million.
Take that bum Jaric, too. They should have never traded Cassell for him..
Anyway, Troy stays hurt too much. They'll probablly want a PG in return with Juwan..
Houston Trade Breakdown
Outgoing
Juwan Howard
6-9 PF from Michigan
9.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.6 apg in 26.6 minutes
Rafer Alston
6-2 PG from Frenso State
13.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.4 apg in 37.0 minutes
Minnesota Trade Breakdown
Outgoing
Marko Jaric
6-7 SG from Serbia-Montenegro (Foreign)
5.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.1 apg in 22.3 minutes
Mike James
6-2 PG from Duquesne
10.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 3.6 apg in 25.3 minutes
Change in team outlook: -7.6 ppg, -4.7 rpg, and -1.3 apg.
Successful Scenario
Due to Minnesota and Houston being over the cap, the 25% trade rule is invoked. Minnesota and Houston had to be no more than 125% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
or
Houston Trade Breakdown
Outgoing
Juwan Howard
6-9 PF from Michigan
9.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.6 apg in 26.6 minutes
Bob Sura
6-5 from Florida State
No games yet played in 2006/07
Minnesota Trade Breakdown
Outgoing
Marko Jaric
6-7 SG from Serbia-Montenegro (Foreign)
5.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.1 apg in 22.3 minutes
Mike James
6-2 PG from Duquesne
10.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 3.6 apg in 25.3 minutes
Change in team outlook: +5.7 ppg, -1.3 rpg, and +4.1 apg.
Successful Scenario
Due to Minnesota and Houston being over the cap, the 25% trade rule is invoked. Minnesota and Houston had to be no more than 125% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
or If they draft either Brewer or Noah from Florida:
It's a strong bet that one of three Florida players - 6-foot-10 Al Horford, 6-9 Corey Brewer or 6-11 Joakim Noah,left, - will be the Timberwolves' top pick at No. 7 in the June 28 NBA draft. The Wolves were especially impressed with Noah's energy during a recent workout.
If the Wolves choose Brewer, they will trade Trenton Hassell.
Houston Trade Breakdown
Outgoing
Juwan Howard
6-9 PF from Michigan
9.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.6 apg in 26.6 minutes
Rafer Alston
6-2 PG from Frenso State
13.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.4 apg in 37.0 minutes
Minnesota Trade Breakdown
Outgoing
Mike James
6-2 PG from Duquesne
10.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 3.6 apg in 25.3 minutes
Trenton Hassell
6-5 SG from Austin Peay
6.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.7 apg in 29.2 minutes
Change in team outlook: -6.2 ppg, -4.1 rpg, and -0.7 apg.
Successful Scenario
Due to Minnesota and Houston being over the cap, the 25% trade rule is invoked. Minnesota and Houston had to be no more than 125% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Last edited: