Thread Tools

Display Modes

socco · 06-13-2007, 05:47 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2903593

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.

**OneBadLT123** · 06-13-2007, 06:56 PM

Well we will miss Jho's leadership, but defiantly not his streaky shooting. If this is it, I think we stole the deal, but if not I wonder what else is going to be included. Hmm...

socco · 06-13-2007, 07:03 PM

Yeah, I think this deal favors Houston at the moment too. Throw in #26 from Houston and #41 from Minnesota and it evens out a bit imo.

JuX · 06-13-2007, 07:19 PM

At least we will get contract that is a year less than James'.

carlos710 · 06-13-2007, 07:32 PM

I dont see how this helps the twolves to win more games. It saves them money, but their main concern right now should be to bring more help to garnett.

He may leave the team after this season if they fail to reach the playoffs once again.

**OneBadLT123** · 06-13-2007, 07:33 PM

I wonder what the situation is about the trade kicker? Are you guys paying, or I wonder if Houston agreed to take it on or what..Hmm

JuX · 06-13-2007, 07:35 PM

Truthfully, I don't know. Ask socco, he might have the best possible answer to it.

socco · 06-13-2007, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneBadLT123

I wonder what the situation is about the trade kicker? Are you guys paying, or I wonder if Houston agreed to take it on or what..Hmm

The team receiving the player pays it.

**OneBadLT123** · 06-13-2007, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by socco

The team receiving the player pays it.

Damn it, so this was worthless. Not sign him because we didn't want to give it to him, and now we end up trading for him, and we got to pay it.

Genius...

**Knick_Killer31** · 06-13-2007, 08:35 PM

The T'wolves obviously trust Randy Foye.

giordun · 06-14-2007, 02:42 AM

Well you Wolves will be enjoying Randy Foye at the point now.

Block · 06-14-2007, 03:48 AM

James will be fine under Rick

Mateo · 06-14-2007, 06:45 AM

Well, there you go guys. The missing piece we needed. The championships should start rolling in now.

Thread Tools Display Modes

Thread Tools

Display Modes