Juwan

Howard

A few days after the three finalists for the job were revealed, it has been reported that Howard declined the Lakers’ request to speak with him. There are obvious connections; Howard and Lakers team president Rob Pelinka were teammates at Michigan, and he was also a teammate of LeBron James while with the Miami Heat. But the former Heat assistant will remain at his alma mater, where he’ll have the opportunity to coach his two sons next season. Milwaukee assistant Darvin Ham, Golden State assistant Kenny Atkinson, and former Blazers head coach Terry Stotts are the finalists for the Lakers opening.

Minnesota is the leading candidate to sign Howard, though the Magic, Pistons and Lakers are also interested. The Wolves hope to bring in Howard and re-sign Rasho Nesterovic.

Coach Jeff Van Gundy said the change in Howard’s playing time was more about elevating Scott Padgett in his rotation than diminishing Howard’s role. Van Gundy is especially concerned about chemistry right now, and apparently he thinks Howard doesn’t help in that area.

It’s up for grabs between Maurice Taylor and Juwan Howard. Neither one has much fantasy value.

If Howard is willing to accept the $4.6 million salary-cap exception -- and it does appear that he is -- there will be plenty of demand for him this summer. The Lakers are among the teams that would really like to stick him at power forward.

It’s been assumed that Denver will let Howard go in free agency, but they will be able to beat most teams by offering Howard a deal next season for more than the mid-level exception of $4.5 million. They still would be left with plenty of money to go after other free agents. GM Kiki Vandeweghe, coach Jeff Bzdelik, and forward Ryan Bowen are all pushing for Howard to return.

Howard’s seven-year, $105 million deal ends this summer and he is expected to take a paycut. Orlando can offer a starting salary of $4.5 million, the mid-level exception, which Howard said he would consider for a winning situation. With Drew Gooden entrenched at power forward, the Magic would want Howard to start at center.

Minnesota made a run at Howard in free agency, and may be a likely destination for him in a deal with Orlando. The Wolves want to beef up their frontcourt, and might be willing to part with Michael Olowokandi once he comes off the IL in mid-Feb., just before the Feb. 19 trade deadline.

The deal would start at the mid-level exception, which is estimated at $4.8 million. Howard’s addition wouldn’t be great news for Drew Gooden, but the Magic might start both players and frequently go without a center.

Orlando GM John Gabriel admitted that, “We like Snow,” but said that no deal was in the works. Howard has drawn interest from Minnesota and Toronto in addition to Philadelphia.