Wolves Sign Josh Howard
Your Newest Minnesota Timberwolf
Chris Broussard seems to have first reported, but odds are it was a smaller source first and Broussard, per usual, replaced "(insert local reporter's name)" with "sources." The Wolves, after working him out in Dallas earlier this week, have signed 32-year old NBA veteran Josh Howard to a 1-year deal for the veterans minimum. All signs point to Will Conroy being waived to make room, but such news has yet to be reported. UPDATE: Conroy has indeed been waived.
Howard brings a scoring touch and defensive ability to the team as a guy who expects to log minutes immediately. Doogie Wolfson reports he is flying in today to take a physical (which, if the Wolves training staff are involved, he will obviously pass (sorry, below the belt shot...couldn't help myself)) and will be in uniform tomorrow night against Golden State. What he has left in the tank will again be up for us all to discover together. Howard played some decent ball in Utah last season averaging 8.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 43 games. However, Howard isn't exactly known for being an NBA iron man himself, having missed major time over the past several seasons. His 2012 season with Utah was cut short due to knee issues. However, what this team needs at this point are able bodies, and Howard is apparently an able body at this point in the season. Sometimes it's as simple as that when you have nine healthy bodies, one of which was Will Conroy, who isn't exactly what you would call an NBA-caliber player.
With the addition of Howard, Wolves fans will continue to enjoy some redemption of a few of the team's most notorious draft-day moves (or non-moves in Howard's case). In addition to getting Roy back this offseason, Howard closes yet another circle. McHale famously picked Ndudi Ebi over Josh Howard in the 2003 draft, which was, well, an interesting decision at the time. Ebi of course never even played out his rookie deal in Minnesota, while Howard went on to become an excellent player and All-Star for the Dallas Mavericks. He certainly brings a wealth of experience to the team.
As for the move itself, I guess I have to say "approved." Howard can play. Hopefully. Some of the remaining free agents are still question marks or too young to take on such a critical role. Pietrus was allegedly unwilling to take the minimum to play here, so Kahn went with the next next option, which was most certainly Howard. He can come in and play the wing position for 20 minutes per game, and help give AK47 a rest so he does not over extend himself. He will be a welcome addition to what is simply a very awkward time for the team. What the major factor is (AGAIN), is whether he is healthy enough to play a regular role until Budinger returns in February. And whether he fits with the "win at all costs" mentality this team has developed.
Thoughts?
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You guys, if this is the last we see of Will Conroy, let's have a moment of silence & reflection for his unprecedented 2012 stats: 21 minutes, 0-9, MINUS 40!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Wolves must be pretty desperate if they are signing an old, washed up, non-white guy!
@CollegeWolf Better than AK47 overdoing it and/or EVER putting Conroy on the floor again,
Hopefully they are trading Derrick Williams instead of cutting Conroy. Conroy is a good cheerleader and is built like Derek Fisher.
Seems like a solid and apples to apples replacement for Buddinger in terms of general skill set. Hard not to like it.
@Pants80 Yeah. I mean, he is pretty washed up. But it will be an interesting experiment I guess. Able bodies needed. Bad.
@CollegeWolf Because Gomes has never produced on a good team and was a McHale guy.
@Daddyfatsax @WallyWorld @CollegeWolf I audibly gasped when I saw Stevenson was actually in a game for the Hawks a week ago. Now I've come to notice that he plays meaningful minutes for them on a regular basis. Mind blowing.
@WallyWorld @Pants80 @CollegeWolf Agreed. Ever since the Washington days of him being terrible, cocky, and an asshole. I find it amazing that he kept a job for so many years. I rooted for a team to sign him and/or not cut him every year because it is hilarious that people like him and Matt Carroll have jobs in the NBA.
@Daddyfatsax @Pants80 @CollegeWolf DeShawn Stevenson? Since when? Questionable irrational favorite.
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@Pants80 @CollegeWolf Oh, I agree with you. Gomes is an irrational favorite of CW's, that's all. Just like me and Corey Brewer, Malcolm Lee, Deshawn Stevenson, KG, and Rasheed Wallace - to name a few. You're not allowed to talk bad about certain players.
@Pants80 @Daddyfatsax @CollegeWolf The 2009 Wolves of course. That team clearly was playoff bound if not for Rambis!!!!!
@Daddyfatsax @CollegeWolf Which good team did Ryan Gomes produce on? Which Gomes wasn't acquired by Kevin McHale?
