Howard's agent: 'Onus' on Denver By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News May 20, 2003 The agent for forward Juwan Howard said his client has not ruled out signing a new contract with the Denver Nuggets. But David Falk expects the Nuggets to make an offer on the first day of the free-agent signing period that is "commensurate" with his client's "value." "The onus is on Denver," Falk said Monday in a telephone interview. "Denver is the incumbent. They need to give us an offer (July 1) with what they feel he is worth, and we'll evaluate that offer against the other situations." Falk was quoted in Sunday's Los Angeles Times as saying it would be a "great situation" for Howard to sign with the Lakers. "Not the only situation, but a great one." Falk said Monday the prospect of signing with a top team such as San Antonio or the Lakers "certainly is appealing," but he stressed Howard has not made any decisions. Howard, who averaged a team-best 18.4 points for the Nuggets this season, can begin negotiating with teams when he becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1. He can't sign officially until July 16. Falk declined to say how much Howard, who made $20.6 million in the final year of a seven-year, $105 million deal, might seek from the Nuggets. The Lakers can't offer more than the mid-level exception of $4.6 million, which Falk said wouldn't be a stumbling block in negotiations if that's the team for which Howard wants to play. "Juwan certainly hasn't ruled out returning to Denver," Falk said. "He's developed great fondness for (general manager Kiki Vandeweghe). . . . He's brought leadership and ability and a great work ethic. It's up to (the Nuggets) what they think he is worth." Vandeweghe said the Nuggets are interested in retaining Howard. But he said it would be "atypical" for a contract offer to be on the table July 1. "My intention is to seriously consider Juwan," Vandeweghe said. "He's been so professional with us. But as far as pinning down any date, I certainly can't do that." When asked about Falk discussing Howard's interest in joining the Lakers, Vandeweghe said Falk was being "a good agent covering his bases." If a deal can't be worked out with the Nuggets, Falk said one option is a sign-and-trade agreement enabling Howard to get more than $4.6 million from a team above the salary cap.
Which brings us to Jermaine O'Neal: If O'Neal goes, where will he fit? Both Spurs and Magic pose hitches for Pacers All-Star By Sekou Smith sekou.smith@indystar.com May 16, 2003 Jermaine O'Neal, Tracy McGrady and Tim Duncan as teammates? It will happen in August when all three suit up for the U.S. team that will attempt to qualify for the 2004 Olympics. It might not end there, though. O'Neal could be paired with either one of the NBA superstars for the 2003-04 season and beyond. O'Neal, a free agent on July 1, has made it clear that while his first choice is to remain with the Indiana Pacers, he will explore potential opportunities with Orlando and San Antonio. But how good a fit would the All-Star forward be on either team? Perhaps more crucial to the equation is figuring out if those teams can fit O'Neal into their salary cap structure. His next contract, likely for the maximum seven years, would be the most lucrative if he stays with the Pacers (about $11 million the first year). O'Neal, however, says he's searching for more -- a combination of dollars and sense. "I want to be in the best position to compete for a championship, not only for myself, but for the 13 or 15 other teammates there are on the roster," said the 24-year-old O'Neal, who saw the Pacers' season end with a third consecutive first-round playoff exit. "I want to win a championship." The Spurs would appear to offer that opportunity immediately. They'd also be able to deliver a more than adequate salary. Future Hall of Fame center David Robinson is retiring at season's end, taking his $10.5 million salary cap burden along. Also gone will be veteran swingman Steve Smith ($9.9 million), whose playing time dried up in the final year of his contract. That leaves ample cap space and a position on the low block opposite Duncan, the NBA's two-time reigning MVP. The only hitch in that plan would be if the Spurs were to pursue another highly-sought free agent, namely Nets point guard Jason Kidd, the only name tossed about more than O'Neal's as a future running mate for Duncan. The Spurs already have second-year point guard Tony Parker. But his every mistake is punctuated by the notion that Kidd, who has remained coy about his future, will be available. "We've got one star, and that's Tim Duncan," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "And there's not really someone else who's going to sustain us game after game. So, it puts a lot of pressure on our defense and rebounding when Tim's not on the court." The addition of O'Neal, who maintains that he'd be more than willing to sacrifice the limelight for a championship ring, would surely ease that pressure. Whether or not he could do the same in Magic pin stripes is a bit tougher to forecast. A legitimate low-post scorer like O'Neal would allow McGrady to exploit mismatches on the perimeter. The problem is Orlando has six free agents to consider, not to mention the future of perpetually injured Grant Hill. Even if they sent all their free agents packing, the Magic would only be $5 million to $6 million under the cap, making it difficult to fit O'Neal into the plans. Even if they were somehow able to convince Hill to retire, giving the team a potential $4.5 million medical exemption, there'd still be work to do. A sign-and-trade scenario, which could figure prominently into O'Neal's future plans were he to leave town, would makes things easier for the Magic. The roster, with only a handful of players under contract for the 2003-04 season, would still have to be filled out. O'Neal would have to accept far less money and he'd likely be moving from his natural power forward position to center, with the emergence of Magic rookie Drew Gooden. Still, Magic coach Doc Rivers acknowledged that McGrady needs some help, not ruling out a quality pool of free agents or the draft as a remedy.
Maybe Lakers...or Houston as well. Well Nuggets are rebuilding. Maybe they will resign him as a veteran mentor for about 4 million......but 20 million again? I think he will want to leave to somewhere where he can win more than 10 games.
I think he'll bolt for the Lakers if they wanted him. He sees that his time in Denver is up now that the Nugs will probably get either Melo or Darko...then tack on Tskitishvili and Nene....
The Nuggets could definitely use Howard for a couple more seasons and should want to re-sign him. But, just that he has Falk as an agent would make me not want to bother with him. I'd offer him more than the mid-level exception if I were them, but not for more than, say, 3 years.
To address O'neal and the Spurs, that situation really confuses me. What I mean is why even consider going after Kidd, Kidd and Duncan vs Duncan, O'neal, and Parker. Parker is a pretty good point guard and after all he is only 21, still a good deal of time to grow. Is it that the Spurs feel that Ducan could not handle the center position or what. I myself like Rose but would never see him as a starter. But thats just my opinion.
Howard had chances in Washington and Dallas to succeed. In Denver he had a good year but I can guarantee he was playing for a higher signing contract!!! Howard is a major underachiever and not worth even the MLE. If Lakers go after Howard I would be very surprised, considering Howard's past. If Nuggets resign Howard then they deserve to be back in the lottery again
The Spurs have the money and the championship-caliber team. Why not sign Juwan Howard for about $8 mil per year then save the rest of the capspace for when Ginobili and Parker need their extensions?
You are kidding right? Sign Howard for 8 mil per year? That is like giving away 8 million to charity. Howard is worth 1 mil per year at best.
You are kidding right? Sign Howard for 8 mil per year? That is like giving away 8 million to charity. Howard is worth 1 mil per year at best.
Howard's only an underachiever compared to that ridiculous contract he got. He's played like a franchise player, but he's a very good role player. Good offensively, not completely deficient on the boards, or on defense. For a team like the Lakers, on whom he could get tons of open shots, he would be very useful - and well worth the MLE. For the Nuggets, who are in serious rebuilding mode, he's not needed.
Spurs should forget the big big bucks to ONeal & sign Brad Miller. Indiana can't keep both & will take ONeal 1st surely. Miller defends the paint, rebounds & hits open jump shots. Doesn't need the ball in the post & keeps Duncan at the 4 where he likes it. Forget Kidd, sign Miller for something reasonable & save some of that $$ for Parker & Ginobili.
Personally either scenario works for me. JO'Neal will be the top target this summer. If neither works Spurs can make a run at GP for the 2 spot.
The only way I'd want to see Miller is if GP was coming and most likely SA couldn't afford both. Spurs can't afford to stand pat this summer.
For $8 mil? No. For $4.5 mil? Perhaps. Depends on who else they could bring in with the rest of the caproom.
How is replacing DRob with a good defensive center standing put? They are winning a title this year w/DRob only able to play about 15 min a nite. That and a continually maturing Parker, Ginobili & Jackson plus the emerging offense of Rose is gonna make them a scary team for awhile.
Brad Miller is ok. Calling him a good defensive 5 may be a bit much. But given the price he'll command it will be too much. The thing you have to understand with the Spurs is that this summer is the best chance they will have to add an impact player for at least the next 5 years, if not longer. The Spurs have made personnel moves over the last 3 to 4 years with the goal of having this level of cap flexibility once DRob retires. They didn't do that to add a Brad Miller.
If he is smart, he'll move over to LA and play for the Lakers. They need a PF badly, and Howard is not only the perfect fit, he's also real cheap if he wants a championship that bad. San Ant. doesn't need another PF when they can pick up J. O'neal or Kidd this offseason.
