Minnesota Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale announced Thursday that the team has acquired forward Juwan Howard from the Houston Rockets for guard Mike James and forward Justin Reed.
"Juwan is a veteran low-post player who is a proven scorer and rebounder," said McHale. "He will add needed depth to our front court, and with this move we are balancing out our roster. Juwan also provides a solid locker room presence. We wish both Mike and Justin the best in Houston. Both players have been true professionals while with our organization."
Howard, a 6-9 forward, averaged 9.7 points (.465 FG%, .824 FT%), 5.9 rebounds and 26.5 minutes per game in 80 contests (38 started) in 2006-07 with Houston. He bumped those averages to 13.6 ppg and 6.5 rpg during the 32 games in which Rockets center Yao Ming missed due to injury. Howard finished the season with nine double-doubles and recorded 10 or more rebounds in 11 contests.
For his career, Howard has appeared in 951 games, averaging 16.1 points (.469 FG%, .764 FT%), 7.1 rebounds and 35.1 minutes per game. Originally drafted by Washington fifth overall in the 1994 NBA Draft from the University of Michigan, Howard has played for Washington, Dallas, Denver, Orlando and Houston. In 1995-96, Howard averaged career highs of 22.1 ppg (10th-best in the NBA) and 4.4 apg along with 8.1 rpg, earning him an appearance in the 1996 NBA All-Star Game and All-NBA Third Team honors. He has 188 double-doubles in his career.
James, signed as a free agent by the Wolves on July 13, 2006, averaged 10.1 points (.422 FG%, .372 3FG%), 3.6 assists and 25.2 minutes per game in his lone season with the Wolves in 2006-07. The 6-2 guard has averaged 11.5 ppg, 4.0 apg and 26.6 mpg in 409 games.
Originally acquired in a trade from Boston on Jan. 26, 2006, Reed averaged 4.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg and 12.6 mpg in 81 games (9 starts) over the past two seasons (2005-06 and 2006-07) with the Wolves. The three-year veteran has posted averages of 3.5 ppg, 1.4 rpg and 10.6 mpg in 136 career games.