Utah Jazz sign small forward Josh Howard – NBA Update
Utah Jazz have been the subject of many trades and changes in the last year or so.
It all started with the departure of head coach Jerry Sloan earlier this year. He was followed by All-Star point guard Deron Williams who graced the New Jersey Nets, in a deal which brought Devin Harris to the Salt Lake City franchise.
Harris tried to fit in with the Jazz in whatever games he was afforded last season, but the lack of chemistry was evident. However, now, his problems will be lessened in a huge way.
According to the latest reports, the Jazz have signed small forward Josh Howard, a long time team mate of Harris at the Dallas Mavericks.
Howard is an accomplished small forward; however his career has been rattled by a spate of injuries in the last few years. The 2007 All-Star, who was traded by the Mavs to the Washington Wizards this February season suffered an
anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee and could participate in only 18 games for the Wizards.
The acquisition thus is a bit of gamble on the part of Utah General Manager Kevin O’Connor. The GM however was adamant that the move was a calculated risk, one that is worth it;
"The risk is limited but the potential for reward is enormous. The first thing he brings is an ability to play in the NBA," O'Connor said Thursday night. "He's a guy that at the 3 spot has rebounded the ball exceptionally well.
And he's played on a winning team and in an NBA championship series."
Howard’s arrival at Jazz could spell the beginning of the end for Andrei Kirilenko, the Russian forward who occupied the position for the last ten years. The Ak-47 is an unrestricted free agent. He made nearly 17 million dollar
last season with the Jazz. If he is to make a comeback at Utah, he will have to agree for a much less amount.
Howard was a hot commodity in the free agency and also drew interest from Portland Trail Blazers, New Jersey Nets, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards and Denver Nuggets. The details of the contract and the money involved have
not emerged as yet.
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