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Jazz talking to Josh Howard again. Why? Where is the room on the roster? Where is the playing time? Our new GM thinking of making a big trade? Sign Howard then is Carroll gone? What is the fascination with this guy. Millsap getting no minutes at SF?

Talking to Howard raises a lot of questions and very little answers.

Story from Brian Smith Twitter.

http://twitter.com/tribjazz

Agreed. I'd actually be pretty upset if this move went down. Marvin Williams makes Howard completely expendable and essentially useless for the Jazz. All that signing Howard would do is take minutes from guys like Burks.

I'm just getting so tired of the mindset where making a "playoff push" means sacrificing the development of Burks, Favors of Kanter during an essential time for them.

I don't even think Howard makes sense in terms of a "playoff push" at this point. Hayward, Burks, and Williams are all better options in the here and now, and Josh Howard's not going to sit peacefully at the end of the bench.

Flat out pointless if they resign him

It would be much worse than pointless. This would exacerbate our log jam both up front and in the back. It would mean that Burks would have to fight over yet another mediocre veteran (who is currently worse than he) is for minutes. It would mean Millsap would get even more limited time at SF, and it would mean another player in the mix to take minutes from Hayward. This would be terrible. Our roster is already chalk full.
At the end of last season Ty Corbin said he knew favors needed more minutes, but didn't know where to find them. Now, Burks needs more minutes and finding them will be an issue for Corbin with his current veteran-first style of coaching.

I liked him when he was healthy, so if he came back I'd be okay with it. Still think he signs elsewhere.

Hopefully Lindsey gets here soon and puts an end to this knuckleheaded move....

If Bell is out then there is a spot (assuming that Murphy is taking the 15th spot). And I suppose nothing is set in stone--I don't see a problem with competition pushing everyone to be better. If Burks can't earn the time then he isn't ready for it. These things always have a way of sorting themselves out. I can't bring myself to get too worked up over the 14th or 15th spots on the roster.

I guess the concern is that Corbin won't think of Howard as being the "14th guy." We saw how much Bell played last year when it was clear as day to anyone and everyone that he was hot garbage.

The Jazz traditionally prefer to carry 14 players.

With Murphy they have 15 while Bell is still under contract. That means they can't sign anyone.

The good news is they would have to pass on Howard. The bad news is they won't get any undrafted and Euro free agents willing to come to camp if there are no roster spots open.

That means the next Wesley Mathews, Brad Miller, Udonis Haslem, Ben Wallace, John Starks, Jose Calderon or Avery Johnson might not get seen--at least not by the Jazz.

Remember Philly signed Raja Bell as an undrafted free agent rookie !

I am tired of holding minutes for Burks, If he is worth minutes than he should outplay others to get them.

Howard doesn't make sense per se. He would be the 15th and final roster spot right now.
Don't know if it has something to do with it, but remember the Spurs showed interest in Howard before last midseason tradeline... and now with Lindsay aboard...

Lava Rock Kid wrote:I am tired of holding minutes for Burks, If he is worth minutes than he should outplay others to get them.

Seriously.

hoops4life wrote:

Lava Rock Kid wrote:I am tired of holding minutes for Burks, If he is worth minutes than he should outplay others to get them.

Seriously.

You don't think he earned more than he played last year? He was unfairly relegated to the bench the whole first half of the season because Corbin only played the veterans.

I do believe coaches dont trust rookies, but year two If he outplays the others than he gets the minutes.

Lava Rock Kid wrote:I am tired of holding minutes for Burks, If he is worth minutes than he should outplay others to get them.

Yeah, he was clearly outplayed by Howard and Bell last year. Clearly. And Howard and Bell have so much untapped potential!

Meh.

Even if they sign him, he's just going to be injury insurance. The big difference between this year and last year is that Marvin Williams is now on the team. He is going to take up the bulk of the minutes at SF, and Hayward is going to play the most at SG. Howard, if he is signed, will simply ride the bus and the pine unless there is an injury.

Burks' real competition is Foye.