CNNSI: Veteran Howard signs five-year contract with Orlando

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2003/07/16/howard_magic_ap/

Veteran Howard signs five-year contract with Orlando
Posted: Wednesday July 16, 2003 12:48 PM

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- The Orlando Magic signed forward Juwan Howard on Wednesday, hoping they have found a second scoring option behind Tracy McGrady.

Howard, a nine-year veteran, has averaged 17.9 points and 7.5 rebounds in 649 career games with Washington, Dallas and Denver. Last season, he led the Nuggets in scoring (18.4 points per game) and rebounding (7.6 rebounds per game).

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the five-year contract has been reported to be worth between $28 million and $38 million.

Denver, Minnesota and Detroit had also been interested in signing Howard.

Although the Nuggets offered more money, Howard said he signed with the Magic because they provided the best opportunity for postseason success. He has reached the playoffs twice -- 1997 with Washington and 2001 with Dallas.

The 6-foot-9, 260-pound Howard will play both forward positions and center for the Magic, Orlando coach Doc Rivers said. His inside presence is expected to relieve the burden on McGrady, the NBA's scoring champion last season.

The Magic are not yet through with signing free agents, which teams could do beginning Wednesday.

Orlando needs a starting point guard, with Tyronn Lue and Antonio Daniels considered top contenders. Although the Magic and Lue were close to a deal earlier this week, negotiations were knocked askew when the Cleveland Cavaliers offered journeyman Kevin Ollie $15 million over five years.

Also, veteran center Andrew DeClercq is expected to re-sign with the Magic. DeClercq averaged 4.7 points and 4.4 rebounds for Orlando last year.

 

Sorry - I looked for a Howard thread but I didn't see one and I haven't been in this forum in a while.

Admins - Please lock or merge.