Kevin Garnett Gone, Juwan Howard & Marko Jaric Unhappy With Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports on Juwan Howard asking the Wolves for a trade: 

Juwan Howard, whom the Timberwolves acquired from Houston in the trade for Mike James, has been on the phone with the Wolves asking that he also be traded now that he won’t get the opportunity to play with Kevin Garnett. But at present, the Wolves don’t have any plans to trade the former Michigan standout, even though owner Glen Taylor said that some of the veterans might be traded away as the team goes young.

My Quick Take: Juwan Howard must be stuck in a time warp. The power forward probably believes the year is 1997, when he was an emerging power forward with the Washington Wizards and when there was actually a demand for his services.

Right now, Howard is a decent veteran piece, capable of handling some nice back-up minutes. He’s also a decent enough guy. That said, the former star is on the downside of his career, pulling in a somewhat pricey mid-level exception salary.

Howard should prepare to stay in Minnesota. The Wolves only took him because the Rockets agreed to take Mike James’ contract. Other teams won’t break the door down for a guy who averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds per game last year.

Marko Jaric, a back-up guard, also wants out of the Wolves’ den. No idea if there’s a market for the Euro. He’s battled injuries and also makes the mid-level exception salary.

The Howard and Jaric situation proves that established players won’t come to Minnesota now that Kevin Garnett is in Boston. This will plague the Wolves until their young players develop into a somewhat competitive club.

Where will Howard end up? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts.

Click here to read and subscribe to Oly Sandor’s NBA Blog.