NBA Free Agency: Utah Jazz Sign Former Wizard Josh Howard

According to a report from Chris Broussard of ESPN, the Utah Jazz have agreed to terms with former Washington Wizard and Dallas Maverick Josh Howard.

The two sides agreed to a one-year deal that will give Howard a chance to once again prove himself in the league. He rejoins Jazz point guard Devin Harris. The two played together in Dallas.

Howard is a versatile player who can play either the shooting guard or small forward position. He is known as a long defender who has the ability to score and create his own shot.

Howard comes to the Jazz as a free agent from the Washington Wizards to whom he was traded a couple of seasons ago.

As a Wizard, Howard played only 22 games for the team due to tearing his ACL just after being traded.

For his career, Howard averages 15.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, with his best season coming in 2007-2008, when he averaged 19.9 points per game.

The signing of Howard is important for the Jazz, but also a bit of a gamble considering he is coming off of a major injury. If the team gets the Josh Howard that played for the Mavericks prior to the injury, he will not doubt be a starter in the Jazz's rotation.

With the addition of the 31-year-old Howard, it is very likely that the Utah Jazz will not resign their own veteran free agent Andrei Kirilenko. It also means that the training camp roster now stands at 18 players.

The team will have to release at least three players to meet NBA roster requirements. That is not good news for the young and unproven players who are in camp, or for a veteran who may be a victim of the Amnesty Clause.