http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_7299505 BY RICK ALONZO Pioneer Press Article Last Updated: 10/27/2007 05:17:11 PM CDT The Minnesota Timberwolves are working on a contract buyout for forward Juwan Howard, who had asked to be traded after Kevin Garnett was moved to Boston this summer. The buyout is not official yet, Wolves spokesman Mike Cristaldi said Saturday. But an agreement is expected to be reached before 5 p.m. Monday, the NBA deadline for players to set their regular-season rosters. The Wolves have 17 players, including Howard, a 34-year-old veteran who wants to play for a contender and doesn't fit well into the Wolves' rebuilding plans. Letting Howard go will reduce the roster to 16, one above the NBA maximum for the regular season. It appears that the Wolves could fit within the rules by parting with forward Wayne Simien, acquired from Miami last week as part of a trade package. Howard had been a leader this month during the team's exhibition season, mentoring younger players. His professional attitude no doubt helped him gain his departure from the team. Howard is owed $6.88 million this season and $7.38 million in 2008-09, the final year of his deal. "We're in the process of working through a buyout agreement," Cristaldi said. Howard was not in attendance Saturday when the Wolves hosted an open scrimmage at Target Center. The Wolves acquired him last summer when they traded Mike James and Justin Reed to Houston.
