Re: Rockets agree to trade Howard to T'wolves for James <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>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. Mike James James Juwan Howard HowardAn 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 off-season 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 mid-season that they would try to move their lone significant off-season acquisition and were on the verge of sending James to Houston for Howard when the deal fell through on Feb. 22, in part because Houston was 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.</div>http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2903593Small deal. James was pretty good with the Rockets, but who will play power forward now?
Re: Rockets agree to trade Howard to T'wolves for James <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Small deal. James was pretty good with the Rockets, but who will play power forward now?</div>Exactly. Plus, it looks like the T-Wolves aren't going to take Joakim Noah (according to RealGM, which makes no sense )Any possibilities for HOU in the draft? Devon Hardin? Might even snatch up Sean Williams if they're willing...
Re: Rockets agree to trade Howard to T'wolves for James I like this trade and I don't. I like it for Houston because they get themselves a solid guard in Mike James, who I think is better than Rafer Alston. I dislike it for the same reason TheAnalyst said, they are screwed up front. I like Chuck Hayes, but they need something else there as well. They could still make other deals, as they should, so we'll see. For Minnesota, I like it. James wasn't happy there and he has no place being there with Randy Foye taking over. At the same time, Minnesota gets themselves a decent veteran that will be alright off the bench. Not bad. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (noballer07 @ Jun 13 2007, 08:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Exactly. Plus, it looks like the T-Wolves aren't going to take Joakim Noah (according to RealGM, which makes no sense ) Any possibilities for HOU in the draft? Devon Hardin? Might even snatch up Sean Williams if they're willing...</div> I doubt Minnesota takes Joakim as high as 7. Guys like Corey Brewer, Jeff Green, Julian Wright, etc. will be there (at least 1-2 of those 3). I don't know if he gets taken that high, although I will say that I wouldn't be completely surprised. He would look nice next to KG, but they can get more talent at 7. Also, DraftExpress is hearing a lot about DeVon Hardin pulling out of the draft.
Re: Rockets agree to trade Howard to T'wolves for James I like this move for the Rockets as they can let James take Alston's spot. Alston is a terrible decision maker, and I think best as energy off of the bench, rather than a starting point guard. It will also give someone to take some pressure off of Yao and Tracy Mcgrady. As for the power forward position, Hayes and Howard together really are not that great of a power forward combination. Sure they both try hard, and hustle every game, but they could get someone else there. Maybe trade Kirk Snyder and some filler for Reggie Evans or someone like that.For the Timberwolves, they clear up room at the guard positions to play both Foye and Mccants next year, which is good for them. Both need some minutes to develop, and trading him would be a good start to the deal. I really think
Re: Rockets agree to trade Howard to T'wolves for James Wern't the rockets the one's who traded mike james to toronto? okay.. they want him back..meh, good for him. Juwan will like it in minny cause he can just sit back more often rather than play.
Re: Rockets agree to trade Howard to T'wolves for James This is a pretty good deal for The rockets. Mike James was great off the bench when he was with us, and didn't really like Skip as much as him. I luv Skip as a streetballer, but as a point guard in the rockets system, it wasn't so hot.
Re: Rockets agree to trade Howard to T'wolves for James Good trade for the Rockets. They get an upgrade over Alston, with James, who had one of his better years with the Rockets. This could open up more for Battier. I think he could start at PF. As a Grizzlie, he did well when he started there. With Ming being 7'5", he makes up the difference in Battier's size. Battier is a great all around player, and if you put him at PF, you could create matchup problems with him being able to come out and hit the 3.Just my take on it...
Re: Rockets agree to trade Howard to T'wolves for James I'll wait till the followup with Rockets on this deal. Right now, guard heavy and leaves not much to desire up front. As for Wolves, I know they were discussing unloading James but not much of a return value in Howard imo. He's big and has veteran experience but he's not a guy at this time of his career that's going to make an impact. Especially with his contract, but hey, they get out of James' deal. So it's even out. All in all, trade is kind of a whimper.
Re: Rockets agree to trade Howard to T'wolves for James Well at least we got someone to be our starting point-guard now. On another note, how is David West's contract situation?
Re: Rockets agree to trade Howard to T'wolves for James Ain't no thing, he got a contract extension in October of this past season up until 2012.
Re: Rockets agree to trade Howard to T'wolves for James Wow, I like this deal, finally a good pg, and can be a third or fourth option and of course can make shots. Though we lose Howard, weakening us in the pf, I think the Rockets can make draft a solid pf or they're probably thinking that they have another deal locked up.
Re: Rockets agree to trade Howard to T'wolves for James I don't think this weakens the Rockets at PF at all. They still have Chuck Hayes, and Battier played very well at PF whenever we put him down there in Memphis. He's scrappy and can man up. He has the skills, smarts, and will to measure up on bigger defenders. He can also create problems by stepping out and making the 3. I don't think this hurts the Rockets one bit. It opens more up for Shane Battier, who is a very underrated player.
Re: Rockets agree to trade Howard to T'wolves for James <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I don't think this weakens the Rockets at PF at all.</div>I think it does, because you have Battier essentially playing two positions, starting at small forward and having to cover backup duties at power forward behind Chuck Hayes. Over the course of an 82 game season, that's going to catch up with them. They need another big man, and they have a glut at guards. It only makes sense now for them to deal one of their guards to land size.
Re: Rockets agree to trade Howard to T'wolves for James Guys, this is only the first deal. There WILL be at least 1 other deal made. Right now Adelamn still needs another piece or 2 for this team to play his style of ball and make it past the first round, and also the team was already extremely small up front. Without Howard it is absolutely necassary for the Rockets to pick up a backup PF in the draft.I don't mind having Hayes starting at PF... he is an awesome hustler, moves without the ball a lot, and a great rebounder. As for this deal, I LOVE Mike James at PG. He will give Rockets a much needed upgrade at PG, both offensively and defensively. This will also open up the possibility of packaging Rafer in some kind of trade.
Re: Rockets agree to trade Howard to T'wolves for James Mike James' reactions.....<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>This is great news for me," said James, who still lives in Houston in the offseason. "I just think this is going to be a great look for me."It always feels good to be wanted in the game. For me to be able to be with a team, be traded by the team, have a chance to go back and not go back, then go back to the team that you wanted to be with, that normally doesn't happen. I'm very grateful."</div>Link
