Timberwolves Buy Out Juwan Howard
October 27, 2007 - 10:16 pm
St Paul Pioneer Press -

The Timberwolves negotiated on Saturday to buy out the contract of veteran forward Juwan Howard, a move that once finalized will get them to their 15-player roster limit by Monday's 5 p.m. deadline.

The Wolves also are expected to release Wayne Simien -- acquired with Antoine Walker and Michael Doleac in Wednesday's trade with Miami -- by Monday. Simien is the only one of those three players who was told not to report to the team.

"We've finally gotten down to a number," said Wolves coach Randy Wittman, who added that another roster move always could happen but that he doesn't expect one. "We can move forward now."

Howard hugged teammates goodbye after Friday's exhibition finale at Target Center and did not attend the Wolves' public scrimmage there on Saturday evening.

On Friday, newly acquired Antoine Walker -- who, like Howard, was a former Chicago schoolboy star -- joined the Wolves. By Saturday, the teammate he knew longest was gone.

"I'm disappointed," said Walker, who, at age 31, is three years younger than Howard. "I was looking forward to it. Me and Juwan grew up as kids together. He was in high school when I was in elementary school. He was a big star in Chicago. I know he's thinking of trying to play for a championship, so hopefully best of luck to him."

Expect him to choose to play for a list of teams such as Boston, where he'd finally get a chance to play with Garnett, Cleveland, Dallas, San Antonio, Miami and Phoenix.

Posted by islesfan:

Wait, they bought out a veteran making $7M this year, who doesn't have a role with the team and no future on it, to get to the roster limit? Why didn't they just dump a young player who might help them?

That's just bizarre.

Hey, doesn't Malik Rose make $7M this year?

Posted by majorleads:

Ooooohhhhh ahhhhhh Jawan Howard is 34 years old and plays no defense. One thing we're short on is older players who play no defense. He'd fit in nicely here.

Posted by Papabear:

Posted by 4949:

Posted by majorleads:

Ooooohhhhh ahhhhhh Jawan Howard is 34 years old and plays no defense. One thing we're short on is older players who play no defense. He'd fit in nicely here.

I'd give Lee up now for him.

Papabear Says

you have a problem.

Papabear

Sheeeesh! You can't see the sarcazism?

Posted by djsunyc:

howard's gonna go to a team that's gonna win big or at the very least, is a lock for the playoffs. charlotte is still somewhat of a rebuilding situation...no guarantees there unless jordan opens up the pocket book (but that would be stupid).

Posted by djsunyc:

Posted by BigC:

Posted by majorleads:

Ooooohhhhh ahhhhhh Jawan Howard is 34 years old and plays no defense. One thing we're short on is older players who play no defense. He'd fit in nicely here.

Howard is still better than Malik. Howard can make layups and does not get blocked by the rim.

i think everyone here is better than malik. except maybe actionjackson who actually IS malik.

I heard AJ has been working on his fadeway hookshot layup from the baseline.

[Edited by - BigC on 10-28-2007 9:32 PM]