Josh Howard Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Knicks Maintain Interest In Josh Howard

September 26th, 2012 at 5:24pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Knicks, one of a handful of teams linked to Josh Howard over the summer, are still interested in the veteran swingman, a league source tells Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com (Twitter link). Howard met with the Sixers on Monday and Tuesday, a week after he visited the Spurs.

Howard was reportedly close to making a decision on where to sign at the end of July, with the Knicks one of five teams he was to have been choosing between, but nothing materialized. We heard a month later that the Knicks were one of three teams still in on him, and now it appears the Knicks are again a part of a new set of NBA clubs going after the 32-year-old former All-Star. He could be viewed as an alternative to Tracy McGrady, whom the Knicks are apparently no longer pursuing. The persistence of their interest would seem to make the Knicks a favorite to land Howard, but that's just my speculation.

When Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors looked today at free agents likely to receive more than the minimum, Howard received an honorable mention of sorts. Given the length of time his free agency has dragged on since he was reportedly close to a deal, it seems he's been holding out for more than the minimum, though the tenor of negotations may have changed since then, and Howard could simply be fighting for a deal that's fully guaranteed. He's been injury-hit the last several years, having played no more than 52 games in a season since 2007/08. Last year, he averaged 8.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 23.0 minutes with a 10.5 PER for the Jazz.

Sixers Notes: Howard, Bynum, DiLeo, Harris

September 24th, 2012 at 3:17pm CST by Luke Adams

Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reported this afternoon that Josh Howard was visiting the Sixers today and tomorrow, but that wasn't the only news out of Philadelphia today. New Sixers general manager Tony DiLeo was introduced to the media today, and Rod Thorn's eventual replacement spoke on a number of 76ers-related issues. Tom Moore of PhillyBurbs.com did a nice job of rounding up DiLeo's more notable comments on Twitter, so let's check them out….

The Sixers are still looking for another wing, and plan to invite one or two to camp. If Howard's meeting with the team goes well, he would seem to be a good fit, though that's just my speculation.
Andrew Bynum has returned from Germany, where he received platelet-rich plasma therapy on his knees, and "feels very good."
The team has not started to talk to Bynum about a contract extension. Bynum will become eligible in mid-February to sign a three-year extension, but it's more likely he'll wait until the summer, when he could re-sign for up to five years in free agency.
The 76ers intend to use "Moneyball-like analytics" more this year. The team also plans to add to its international scouting department.
Owner Josh Harris has final say on basketball decisions, according to DiLeo.
After he interviewed with Portland for the Blazers' GM opening, DiLeo reached an agreement with Harris not to talk to other teams. Three or four other teams asked permission, and, presumably, were turned away.

Sixers, Timberwolves Eyeing Josh Howard

September 24th, 2012 at 12:37pm CST by Luke Adams

A week after meeting with the Spurs, Josh Howard is set to visit the 76ers today and tomorrow, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Spears adds that Howard is also drawing interest from the Timberwolves.

Howard, 32, has been the subject of ongoing rumors this offseason. He was reportedly close to making a decision on a team in late July, but nearly two months later, he's being linked to an entirely new set of clubs — the Pacers, Warriors, Nets, and Knicks were among the teams said to be in on him earlier in the summer.

We heard last week that Howard would still like to return to the Jazz, with whom he spent the 2011/12 season. However, the team's unresolved buyout situation with Raja Bell means there probably isn't room for a guaranteed contract for Howard at this point.

The Sixers have only 13 players under contract, so there'd be room on the roster for Howard. Philadelphia also has its room exception available, though I'd be surprised if the team offered the full $2.575MM to Howard, who is coming off a down year. As for the Timberwolves, they have an open roster spot, but could only offer a minimum-salary contract.

Latest On Josh Howard

September 16th, 2012 at 3:36pm CST by Michael Pina

3:36PM: Josh Howard still has interest in signing with the Jazz, but the team's unresolved issue with Raja Bell makes it so he'll likely sign with a different team, according to a tweet from the Salt Lake Tribune's Brian T. Smith.

1:40PM: Free agent forward Josh Howard is scheduled to visit the Spurs on Monday, according to a tweet from Yahoo! Sports reporter Marc J. Spears. Earlier this summer we heard that Howard had narrowed his search down to five teams (the Jazz, Pacers, Nets, Knicks, and Warriors), but the Spurs were obviously not one of them.

Howard has also been given a look at by the Bobcats and Bulls, but Charlotte's interest qualified as nothing higher than "exploratory." The 32-year-old forward is a former All-Star coming off a year in which he started for the Jazz in their opening round playoff loss to the Spurs, and it's a bit strange that no team has been willing to bring him aboard yet.

Bobcats, Knicks, Bulls Interested In Josh Howard

August 30th, 2012 at 8:31am CST by Chuck Myron

THURSDAY, 8:31am: Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer classifies the Bobcats' interest in Howard as no more than "exploratory" at the moment.

WEDNESDAY, 6:18pm: It's a little surprising that Josh Howard remains on the free agent market this late in the offseason, considering the 32-year-old former All-Star started three out of four playoff games for the Jazz this spring. Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports hears that Howard, a native of Winston-Salem, N.C., has been working out with the Bobcats this week, and is also drawing interest from the Knicks and Bulls (Twitter link).

Aside from the draft, the Bobcats have done little to upgrade the roster that compiled the league's all-time worst winning percentage last season, with Ramon Sessions as the team's only veteran signee. They have about $2MM in cap room available, so Howard's salary could fit into that space. The Knicks would only be able to offer the veteran's minimum, which for Howard, a nine-year vet, would be about $1.229MM. The Bulls seem the unlikeliest team of the three to land Howard, since the team is under a hard cap this year and doesn't even have room to add anyone at the minimum. They'd have to swing a trade to free up the space to bring Howard aboard.

Injuries have plagued Howard after the Mavs traded him to the Wizards midway through the 2009/10 season. He's played in only 65 regular season games since, and averaged 8.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 23.0 minutes per game last season, with a 10.5 PER. Those numbers are well off his career highs of 19.9 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 36.3 MPG, all established in 2007/08.

Kennedy On McGrady, Martin, O’Neal, Arenas

August 8th, 2012 at 1:44pm CST by Luke Adams

It wasn't long ago that we heard the Bulls had some interest in signing Tracy McGrady, but that possibility no longer appears realistic. After signing first-round pick Marquis Teague, the Bulls are only about $758K under their hard cap line, meaning a veteran's minimum contract for McGrady wouldn't fit unless the team traded another player. Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld confirms that the two sides are no longer talking, and says McGrady will continue weighing his options in hopes of joining a contender. Here are a few more updates from Kennedy on some unsigned veterans:

Kenyon Martin is talking with several teams, and while he doesn't want to sign for the veteran's minimum, he may end up having no choice, says Kennedy.
Jermaine O'Neal says "winning a championship is the only goal," and would like to join a contending team on a minimum-salary deal. The Lakers, Bucks, and Suns have watched him work out.
Sources close to Gilbert Arenas say that he's slimmed down and is fully healthy as he searches for an NBA contract.
Ben Wallace still hasn't made up his mind about whether to retire or return to the Pistons for one more year. A decision is expected within the next few weeks.
There's no timetable on Josh Howard's free agent decision, but it sounds like he's close to picking a destination. We heard last week that Howard had narrowed his options to five teams.

Odds & Ends: Bulls, Josh Howard, Deng, Heat

August 7th, 2012 at 9:06pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Mark Deeks of ShamSports.com (via Twitter) points out that the Bulls are specifically $758,642 below the luxury tax apron and that the league minimum salary for sophomore players is $762,195. This definitely factors into the situation of Malcolm Thomas, who put on a standout performance as a member of their summer league roster and more importantly is entering his second year in the league. Deeks still doesn't think that Chicago is willing pay the tax, adding that the team isn't in any rush to make moves that would incidentally put them over the apron. Here are more of tonight's links from around the NBA…

Matt Moore of CBS Sports gives the Bobcats a grade of "C" for their work this offseason.
Earl K. Sneed of NBA.com talks about the plenty of backcourt options that the Mavericks have for the upcoming season.
Australia's David Andersen hopes that Wednesday's game against Team USA is enough to make an impression as he hopes for an opportunity to return to the NBA, writes Sean Deveney of the Sporting News. The 6'11 forward/center played in Italy last year and was a member of the Hornets during the 2010-11 season. Andersen says he will continue to play in Europe if he doesn't receive an offer from an NBA team.
Chris Bernucca of Sheridan Hoops examines the top 20 remaining free agents and groups them by position.
Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune tweets that the Jazz are expected to re-engage in talks with free agent Josh Howard soon.
Brian Kamenetzky of ESPN LA clarifies that although the Lakers are interested in Jodie Meeks, the shooting guard isn't quite open to signing for the veteran's minimum. Also, Kamenetzky notes that while the team has placed a priority on adding a backcourt or wing player, they won't use their mini-mid level exception to overpay for a player they feel isn't worth that much. Earlier today, Brian joined his brother Andy to discuss some names in free agency that are worth considering, including Carlos Delfino, Tracy McGrady, and Terrence Williams in addition to Meeks.

Josh Howard Rumors: Monday

July 30th, 2012 at 10:03pm CST by Luke Adams

Last night, we heard that Josh Howard was close to making a decision on his free agent destination, having narrowed his options to five teams: the Jazz, Pacers, Knicks, Nets, and Warriors. While we wait to see where the veteran forward lands, there are a few rumblings today detailing how serious a couple of his suitors are. Let's round those rumors up right here….

A source very close to Josh Howard told Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter) that nothing is imminent between the forward and the Knicks.
The Warriors' interest in Howard is very minimal, according to Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group (Sulia link). Golden State is still prioritizing power forwards, with Carl Landry atop the team's wish list. If the Warriors were to shift their focus to small forwards, they would target players that could also play the four, and Howard probably doesn't fit that description.
Howard feels some loyalty to the Jazz, since they took a chance on him last year, so Utah is "near the top of his list," says Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune (Sulia link). It's also worth noting that, since they have his Non-Bird rights, the Jazz can offer Howard a first-year salary up to $2.58MM without using a mid-level exception.

Josh Howard Close To Decision

July 29th, 2012 at 6:50pm CST by Sean Highkin

Yahoo!'s Marc J. Spears tweets that unrestricted free-agent forward Josh Howard is close to making a decision on where to sign for the 2012/13 season. Spears reports that Howard's current team, the Utah Jazz, are in the mix to land him, along with the Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, and New York Knicks.

Terms of Howard's upcoming deal are not known. Howard, 31, made approximately $2.1MM last season, averaging 8.7 PPG and 3.7 RPG for the Jazz.

Josh Howard Drawing Interest From Mavs, Others

July 1st, 2012 at 12:15pm CST by Luke Adams

12:15pm: In addition to the six clubs reported by Spears, two other teams have expressed interest in Howard, tweets Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune. Howard is seeking a multiyear contract, according to Smith (Twitter link).

10:10am: Nearly two and a half years after the Mavericks traded him to Washington in a seven-player blockbuster, Josh Howard is drawing interest from his old team. According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter), the Mavs are one of a handful of teams showing interest in the small forward. Spears names the Jazz, Lakers, Nets, Spurs, and Celtics as other potential suitors.