Howard to make debut Wednesday at Verizon
The Wizards introduced their newest players on Tuesday following last weekend’s trade that in part sent starters Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood to Dallas. At least some of the new faces, including lead acquisition Josh Howard, appear likely to make their Washington debut on Wednesday against visiting Minnesota.
But according to multiple reports, the team continues to work on potential trades behind the scenes and is closer to moving All-Star forward Antawn Jamison with less than two days remaining before the NBA trade deadline.
Forward Drew Gooden, who also was acquired as part of the Mavericks trade but was not present at practice, appears intent on avoiding playing for the Wizards altogether via a buyout with the team or another trade, according to reports.
Wizards president of basketball operations Ernie Grunfeld did not address reports but defended his decision to dismantle the team and left open the possibility of more moves either prior to Thursday’s 3 p.m. deadline or during the offseason.
“The Pollins are running this team, and I report to them directly,” said Grunfeld. “But I think this is the direction that we need to go in at this time. This group was together for a long time, and last year and this year were not up to par as far as expectations from our standpoint so it’s time to make some changes, and this was the first step in trying to do that.”
With the contracts of newly acquired Howard, Gooden and James Singleton all expiring at the end of the year, Wednesday could be the start of a 32-game audition. Only Quinton Ross, the fourth player added by the Wizards (17-33), retains a player option for next season.
“You can say that, but I’m still looking at it like a two-month ordeal,” said Ross.
Wizards head coach Flip Saunders said he would use whoever he has available against the Timberwolves (13-40), although he was unsure who would start.
Howard didn’t expect it to be him, as he said his left ankle, which was operated on last spring, was 75-80 percent.
“They’re going to have opportunities to show what they can do and play,” said Saunders. “If they can do things when they play, they’re going to reap the benefits either here or somewhere else.”
