Wolves: Howard is key piece; more moves expected - 明尼蘇達灰狼 Minnesota Timberwolves

http://www.startribune.com/wolves/story/1247333.html

This was not a huge move, but it was a step. Perhaps the first of many,
suggested Kevin McHale.
McHale, the Timberwolves' vice president of basketball operations, sat down
Thursday to discuss the trade that sent point guard Mike James and forward
Justin Reed to Houston in exchange for forward Juwan Howard.

It allowed the Wolves to trade a disgruntled guard for a sizable forward who
professed to be thrilled to be coming here. McHale and coach Randy Wittman
characterized the move as being as important both for on-court performance
and locker room chemistry.

McHale also suggested that it is only the first in what could be a series of
moves designed to reshape a Wolves roster that has underachieved the past few
seasons.

"We have more stuff we're planning on doing," McHale said. "So I'm sure I'll
be talking to you guys again very soon."

For starters, this helped balance out a guard-heavy roster while giving the
Wolves a seasoned veteran with the reputation of being a hard worker. The
team tried hard to sign Howard in free agency in the summer of 2003.

Back then, Howard chose Orlando over the Wolves, a decision he said he
second-guessed more than once.

"Truthfully, it should have happened four years ago ... ," Howard said. "It
was always in the back of my mind when I was in Orlando. Nothing against
Orlando, but I felt I should have signed with Minnesota. But now we've found
a way to make it happen. And I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Howard's role on the team isn't set. Neither he, McHale nor Wittman would say
whether they expect him to even be a starter. What they all agree on is that,
at age 34, Howard has not ceded much to age. Howard remembered only one
significant injury, when he was in Houston playing, ironically, with James. A
freak collision caused a hyperextended knee.

Other than that? Howard has stayed healthy.

"Everybody at 34 loses something ... ," McHale said. "But you gain so much
mentally that it's kind of a trade off. If you can stay healthy, the drop-off
isn't as much as you would expect it to be."

Howard's numbers were down this season compared to his career averages, but
he played extensively when Yao Ming was hurt. The Wolves played the Rockets
twice during that time and were impressed with Howard's ability to be
productive playing bigger minutes.

Wittman said Kevin Garnett was on board with the move, and Howard said he and
Garnett have been friends since they worked out together in Chicago during
the offseason early in Garnett's career.

Garnett made no secret that he wanted some veteran big-man help, both on the
court and in the locker room. Howard appears to be someone who can do at
least a little of both.

"I don't think Kevin wants to be the lone one who had to do a lot of things
like that," Wittman said. "Having another guy who knows the ropes, knows the
rights and wrongs [is good]."

Howard, in St. Louis where he is watching his 15-year-old son, Juwan, take
part in a basketball camp, sounded thrilled with the move.

"Truly I am excited about this trade," he said. "I'm looking forward to
coming to Minnesota. ... I see myself fitting in well, as far as being a
contributor on the offensive end as well on the defensive end. And, more
importantly, being a leader ... being a veteran who has spent 13 years in the
NBA, I have a lot of experience."


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