Sources: Rockets agree to trade Howard to Wolves for James - By Marc Stein / ESPN.com

[V2M]

Sources: Rockets agree to trade Howard to Wolves for James

By Marc Stein
ESPN.com

Updated: June 13, 2007, 8:35 PM ET


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.

Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. To e-mail him, click here.

[Janett_Reno]

This is great for the Rockets. Mike James use to kill us when he played with the Rockets. Now you have 3 players you better guard close on the Rockets and Battier get's rebounds, scores and plays defense. McGrady stay's healthy, Ming stay's healthy and they start Mike James, this team is now good with only one move.

They had a good chance to beat Utah if they had Mike James. He fits the Rockets like a glove. I hate to see this because now we have to worry about them also.

[EricaLubarsky]

so where is Garnett going?

[Windmill360]

Houston would get significantly better.

[Flacolaco]

James played like garbage last year....

[dude1394]

Why in god's green earth would McHale do this?

[chumdawg]

Damnit.

[DelNegro]

Minnesota had 3 overpaid, underperforming point guards on the roster in James, Hudson and Jaric. McHale would like to rid himself of all 3 because Randy Foye is probably the best PG they've got. Houston got to Mike James before anyone else did.

[V2M]

Originally Posted by dude1394

Why in god's green earth would McHale do this?

Who cares why... before he gets sober, Donnie needs to call him and offer Buckner for Davis.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by V2M

Who cares why... before he gets sober, Donnie needs to call him and offer Buckner for Davis.

Now that is funny.

[MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs]

Umm am I losing my mind or arent Juwan Howard and Mike James both on the Rockets?


Nevermind I got Mike James confused with Bonzi. And Mike James was considering the Rockets a year ago. Got confused.

[Tokey41]

Why are they so much better? It's Mike James, he sucks. He's better than Howard but they are just giving up front court depth for backcourt depth (they still have Alston).

[DOMINATOR]

hopefully skip is as good as gone... about time that old overpaid juwan is no longer a rocket.
guess that means rockets are drafting a PF. or trading head/Vspan/other for PF.
hopefully it's the beginning of many moves for the rockets!

[dirno2000]

Kevin McHale is not the smartest GM in the league but this isn't a horrible move. He's trading a back up combo guard for a back up power forward with a shorter contract.

It won't make them any better but they won't be any worse either.

[kingmalaki]

Originally Posted by Tokey41

Why are they so much better? It's Mike James, he sucks. He's better than Howard but they are just giving up front court depth for backcourt depth (they still have Alston).

I don't know "how" much better we will be. I don't think it will put us at a championship level. However, the move definately helps our team. Last year we didn't have a PG that could hit a jumper consistenly (Alston shot like 37%), and no one outside of T-Mac or Yao could create their own shot. Mike James fills both of those needs. I think we would have beat Utah for sure if we had 1 more person who could score. James also is a decent defender.

We now have NO PF's though (Hayes is a F/A)......

[Flacolaco]

Originally Posted by kingmalaki

I don't know "how" much better we will be. I don't think it will put us at a championship level. However, the move definately helps our team. Last year we didn't have a PG that could hit a jumper consistenly (Alston shot like 37%), and no one outside of T-Mac or Yao could create their own shot. Mike James fills both of those needs. I think we would have beat Utah for sure if we had 1 more person who could score. James also is a decent defender.

We now have NO PF's though (Hayes is a F/A)......

What's this "we" crap?

Is this a rockets board?

[kingmalaki]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

What's this "we" crap?

Is this a rockets board?

This is a thread in the Around the NBA forum (is it not), and I am a Rockets fan....

[Nash13]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

Kevin McHale is not the smartest GM in the league but this isn't a horrible move. He's trading a back up combo guard for a back up power forward with a shorter contract.

It won't make them any better but they won't be any worse either.

I agree with that last sentence. However, i feel this move was just to get rid of James. Because a) Howard on the Wolves is pointless and b) they've been pushing for Randy Foye to be their future all star point.


On the other hand, since the selling prices for James is Howard, i wonder what the selling price is for Davis/Blount/Jaric?

[chumdawg]

Why is Howard pointless on the Wolves? Dude can still play some, I thought.

[Nash13]

He's pointless for no other reason than the fact that he and Garnett play the same position. And they have Blount, who has a decent offensive game for a frontcourt player. And Griffin, who when not masturbating in his SUV, has decent range and shot-blocking ability.

[chumdawg]

Are you saying he won't get any meaningful minutes?

[kingmalaki]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

Why is Howard pointless on the Wolves? Dude can still play some, I thought.

He isn't pointless. His production just doesn't warrant his high salary. I've been looking at some MN boards and it seems like they need some frontcourt back-ups (at least from a fan point of view).

[chumdawg]

His salary can't be that high if it can be traded for Mike James's.

[Nash13]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

Are you saying he won't get any meaningful minutes?

That's actually exactly what i'm saying. With the current roster after this "trade", there's not a lot of minutes to be had. Because Garnett's going to get 35-40mpg, Blount's going to get around 30mpg, then you factor in Griffin/Madsen (yes they still do play Madsen), there's no room to be had.

Originally Posted by kingmalaki

I've been looking at some MN boards and it seems like they need some frontcourt back-ups (at least from a fan point of view).

I think more than anything need another solid player to play along with Garnett and Davis, and they need better rebounding and coaching.

[alby]

Call up DA and Mike James won't be a problem for us.

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by Nash13

Because Garnett's going to get 35-40mpg, Blount's going to get around 30mpg, then you factor in Griffin/Madsen (yes they still do play Madsen), there's no room to be had.

Howard can't steal any minutes from Blount, Griffin, or Madsen? Wow.

[alby]

Howard couldn't even steal minutes from chuck hayes so I don't know.

[And1]

Rockets throwing some feelers out for Artest........+mike james, bonzi, tmac, yao, battier, head....

[DelNegro]

Originally Posted by Nash13

I agree with that last sentence. However, i feel this move was just to get rid of James. Because a) Howard on the Wolves is pointless and b) they've been pushing for Randy Foye to be their future all star point.


On the other hand, since the selling prices for James is Howard, i wonder what the selling price is for Davis/Blount/Jaric?

They'd give away Jaric if they could. Any expiring contract could get that deal done. They have such a logjam at PG and they need to break that up.

Blount and Davis don't have the same issues at their positions so their asking price would be a lot higher.

[antoinewalker]

Originally Posted by And1

Rockets throwing some feelers out for Artest........+mike james, bonzi, tmac, yao, battier, head....

if the rockets were somehow able to get artest, they'd have to give up some people on that list.

[Knickfan]

I think we would have beat Utah for sure if we had 1 more person who could score. James also is a decent defender.

Uuuhhmm NO!!! Unless James would have shut down Boozer and Williams (which he wouldn't have) the Rockets weren't beating Utah!

[Nash13]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

Howard can't steal any minutes from Blount, Griffin, or Madsen? Wow.

Well both Blount and Griffin can play the center position, so he's not going to steal too many minutes from them. And yeah he can steal the little minutes they give Madsen.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Mike James May work since Houston is going to start running and passing like lighting.

[Janett_Reno]

When you asked, where is Garnett going? This will be big news and a player i am watching close because i know the Lakers will do all they can to get him. Garnett, Gasol and even if J O'Neil leaves will be ones to watch. Bird is not stupid and he will not give away O'Neil. After this last season, i figure Garnett will raise cain to get out of MN and can you blame him? It is also talks once again, like every year of Shawn Marion being traded. He is another big name and Grant Hill want's to go to Phx and he is still an ok player but he get's hurt bad alot.

All those are big names being talked about and throw in Rasheed and Billups. It is funny because the Knicks are tied to every single name talked about leaving their team. It is that way every single year.

I am a Dallas fan, not a Houston fan, but i see Alston not being able to consistently make an outside shot. On defense, i would cover Ming and McGrady the best i could and leave Alston wide open and dare him to shoot. I just do not think he can beat me with his outside shot. Driving and layups, yes anyone can. Mike James can usually make his outside shots and especially when teams must double team McGrady and Ming and now you leave James open. If all three guys stay healthy, Houston can be a force and they need to get deeper off the bench but they are getting better. I would have got rid of Howard also.

[DOMINATOR]

Originally Posted by Janett_Reno

I am a Dallas fan, not a Houston fan, but i see Alston not being able to consistently make an outside shot. On defense, i would cover Ming and McGrady the best i could and leave Alston wide open and dare him to shoot. I just do not think he can beat me with his outside shot. Driving and layups, yes anyone can. Mike James can usually make his outside shots and especially when teams must double team McGrady and Ming and now you leave James open. If all three guys stay healthy, Houston can be a force and they need to get deeper off the bench but they are getting better. I would have got rid of Howard also.

teams didn't even guard rafer last year and rafer is like 25% when he does that teardrop thing. it's ugly.

[And1]

Rockets throwing some feelers out for Artest........+mike james, bonzi, tmac, yao, battier, head....

Originally Posted by antoinewalker

if the rockets were somehow able to get artest, they'd have to give up some people on that list.

Not necessarily true:

Assuming management pulls off an Artest for Sura,Snyder,#26 and V-Span

[kingmalaki]

Originally Posted by Knickfan

Uuuhhmm NO!!! Unless James would have shut down Boozer and Williams (which he wouldn't have) the Rockets weren't beating Utah!

Even with Boozer and Williams getting off we barely lost that series. We lost due to scoring and not grabbing defensive boards in game 7. Our bench gave us nada for the first 2 games and one game only 4 dudes scored. Having another guard that could score or create his own shot would have made a huge difference, IMO.

[tmac1yao11]

Originally Posted by Nash13

Well both Blount and Griffin can play the center position, so he's not going to steal too many minutes from them. And yeah he can steal the little minutes they give Madsen.

Guys I dont think Griffin still plays for Minnesota does he?