Jazz make an offer to Josh Howard

[freakazoid]

So again, I ask the question... Why?

The Jazz have to keep up appearences. Fans will be pissed if they think Utah is looking past this year. They have to walk a fine line of looking like they're trying to compete, while at the same time not doing too much to screw up their draft position next year.

Sorry Jazzfanz, but it had to be said.

 

[gomretat]

So again, I ask the question... Why?

Seems pretty obvious to me. They need 1 or 2 more wing players to simply balance the roster - unless you want more point guards and bigs which makes no sense. They are plenty young so going with a vet who will play for the amount they are willing to pay is the only option. What else would you do? This does not mean he will get playing time but it gives us an option. It only takes away time from young uns if he turns out to be a better option. If he returns to his former self and plays well, that is an added bonus. Unless they have offered him 3 or more years or paid him above 3-4 mil a year this is exactly what they need. So I ask.....Why Not? And if no, what else do they do? And as I stated earlier, it really means AK wants too much coin to come back.

 

[Stifle Tower]

I like it too. As long as the money is right.

If last year was a fluke (which is not so far fetched) and he gets back to old form, he would be a great addition. And even at his worst he's still better than Raja Bell. It puts Howard at SF getting minutes that CJ would have probably got, and CJ at sg (getting minutes that would have probably went to Bell).

I hope the money is right, and I hope he takes it.

Outside of last season, he's been pretty effective. Decent career FG (45%) and 3-PT (34%), 6 rbds and 2 assists. Was last year an aberration or a sign he has nothing left? If Jazz can get him for cheap for two years, he's worth a shot.

 

[Stifle Tower]

Reportedly, Marc Fleisher is starting negotiations at 4 yrs $40 million. Buh-bye.

I'm not vehemently against signing Howard (I'd prefer not to) but if we do sign him it better not be for more than 2 years (which could be a sticking point IMO).

Wow, just wow!
Nobody in their right mind is going to bite on that kind of money. So much for everyone who said we could sign him for a hometown discount around $4-$5M. I wonder if AKMVP will still maintain we need to bring him back.


Another factor in offering contracts to Howard and Tinsley might be the number of games played in a compresssed schedule. In a regular season, teams generally have a set rotation of about 8 players (for Utah that would be 3 bigs, 3 wings and 2 PG's; other teams might have combo guards or guys that play both forward positions). But generally, 8 guys get regular minutes, maybe one other gets 10-15 and the rest are scrubs, developmental players or injury insurance. This year is going to be different. With young legs and great depth, Utah might be able to win on those back-to-backs simply because they'll be going 12-13 deep and won't wilt in Q4. Everyone on the roster will probably get decent PT, not as much as they'd all like, but some of the vets may not mind more rest than usual. It's going to be pretty taxing if starters maintain those 35-38 mins/per.

 

[My2Cents]

Brian T. Smith

"Told several times any reports #UtahJazz have made hard offer to Josh Howard are inaccurate."

"Jazz haven't even watched Howard play. Utah would like to get eyes on Howard before making offer."

 

[vegas]

Brian T. Smith tweeting that Jazz have had serious discussions, but no hard offer to Howard contrary to other reports.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

I'm not thrilled with Howard, but think signing him to a year or two (if they do) is a better move than signing Raja Bell for three. He's a talented player.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Saw this on Locke's twitter

Kevin O'Connor just spent 30 minutes talking with media - serious discussions but no formal offer with Josh Howard

 

[NotDeadYet]

I think the main reason KoC's talking to Howard's camp is he's covering his bases in case Kirilenko doesn't come back. Interesting he didn't want to talk about AK. Gotta cover his bases...

https://www.deseretnews.com/article...Leod-Trey-Gilder-join-Jazz-training-camp.html

 

[NUMBERICA]

AK is not coming back unless the Jazz get a screaming deal. It's rather simple.

 

[sepanol]

a dead AK is better than him

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I think AK is already back in Russia. I don't think he is coming back to the NBA.

 

[gregbroncs]

If AK's agent is really expecting 4 and 40M. Then he is not playing in the NBA next season. Who in their right mind is going to pay that?

If the Jazz gave AK that kind of money I would start a Fire KOC and Greg Miller movement. And I've been accused of being a KOC apologist.

 

[MVP]

I wonder if AKMVP will still maintain we need to bring him back.

I dunno where you found me saying that we need to bring him back. I said Jazz would win more games with him but we would not be contending team anyway. So what's the point of bringing him back? Plus if Prince and Butler are getting deals around 7mil/year no way AK is going to get less. So obviously he is not coming back as Jazz are trying to fill roster gaps with cheap options. Plus I am not sure he wants to come back to NBA this year... looks like he is enjoying playing in Russia and adding Euroleague title, Russian league title and VTB title would be pretty exciting for him. I think he will come back to NBA next year after having great season in Europe and raising his market value.

 

[DunkMyBalls]

Howard is considering a “firm offer” from the Utah Jazz, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations. Jazz General Manager Kevin O’Connor, however, told reporters in Salt Lake City on Saturday that he has engaged in serious discussions with Howard but no formal offer has been extended to the 31-year-old swingman.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wizards-insider/post/wizards-josh-howard-has-offer-from-utah-jazz

 

[DunkMyBalls]

Howard's 31, his production has declined for the last three seasons, and he's had run-ins with the law and league over his admitted use of marijuana and involvement in street racing. On top of that, he tore his ACL last February. A more, say, motivated player tears his ACL, and you'd be enthused about his progress. With Howard? The guy hasn't added much to his game since 2003, and we're to believe that he's going to be ultra-motivated to work his way back? Especially after being handed most of our mid-level exception to play this year? He does not factor into our plans beyond 1-2 years. He's not going to be the piece that pushes us over the playoff hump so lets just save the cash and give that time to Hayward, Burks and Evans so they can grow quicker.

 

[candrew]

If we're gonna go high risk why not Michael Redd - at least he fills a need with the lack of outside shooting on this team.

 

[jazzfan1971]

I'd rather Azuibuike if he's recovered from injury.

 

[Nate505]

Howard's 31, his production has declined for the last three seasons, and he's had run-ins with the law and league over his admitted use of marijuana and involvement in street racing. On top of that, he tore his ACL last February. A more, say, motivated player tears his ACL, and you'd be enthused about his progress. With Howard? The guy hasn't added much to his game since 2003, and we're to believe that he's going to be ultra-motivated to work his way back? Especially after being handed most of our mid-level exception to play this year? He does not factor into our plans beyond 1-2 years. He's not going to be the piece that pushes us over the playoff hump so lets just save the cash and give that time to Hayward, Burks and Evans so they can grow quicker.

Wow, he smoke(ed)(s) weed and was involved in street racing?!?!? Criminal of the year right there!!!

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I'd rather Azuibuike if he's recovered from injury.

Isn't he still under contract with NYC? I have forgotten all about this guy.