HoopsHype.com Rumors

Jazz forwards Josh Howard (strained left quad) and Derrick Favors (sprained right ankle) didn’t play Tuesday. Favors said Sunday after a road win against Denver he planned to take the court against the Clippers. He acknowledged during shootaround Tuesday morning his ankle had swelled a little, though, and was troubling him when he jumped and cut. Favors re-evaluated his ankle before tipoff, determining it was better to sit out rather than risk further injury. “I want to be able to play, but at the same time I’ve got to be careful about it,” said Favors, who plans to be active Thursday against Dallas. “I’ve still got a lot of games to play and I don’t want to do something worse to it.” Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Derrick Favors, Josh Howard, Injuries 

A New Year's Eve bash will be costly for Josh Howard. The Utah Jazz small forward received a $25,000 fine from the NBA offices after his penalty against San Antonio's James Anderson was upgraded to a Flagrant Foul Two. Howard was initially penalized with a Flagrant Foul One for smacking the back of Anderson's head while the Spur was driving in Utah's 104-89 loss at AT&T Center. "It's the NBA's call. It's behind me. I'm going to move on to the next game," Howard said prior to Monday's home game against New Orleans. "It is what it is, no matter how I feel. It's part of the game." Howard asked Anderson if was OK after the play, and the guard responded that he was "fine." The league reviewed the play Monday, upgraded the penalty's severity and doled out the hefty fine. Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Josh Howard 

Art Garcia: Jazz forward Josh Howard fined $25k for F2 against Spurs guard James Anderson. League upgraded foul from F1 to F2. Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Josh Howard, James Anderson 

Jody Genessy: Josh Howard isn't wearing a headband, but he does have two wristbands on. Twitter

Utah Jazz, Josh Howard 

Brian T. Smith: #UtahJazz used part of their mid-level exception on Josh Howard. Jazz's team salary expected to be about $64-66 million at start of season. Twitter

Utah Jazz, Josh Howard 

Zach Lowe: Just spoke with Josh Howard, who is REALLY excited to play in Utah. Says the only Knicks person he heard from directly was Melo. Twitter

Utah Jazz, Free Agency, Josh Howard 

Jody Genessy: Sorry, Josh Howard. No headbands for Jazz players, Coach Corbin says. Twitter

Utah Jazz, Free Agency, Josh Howard 

Jody Genessy: Devin Harris believes Josh Howard, his old teammate, will help Utah. He endorsed Howard to Kevin O'Connor before GM visited him last week. Twitter

Utah Jazz, Free Agency, Josh Howard 

Jody Genessy: Josh Howard's signing "probably does" end Andrei Kirilenko's Utah era, his agent said. "Andrei will always treasure his time with the Jazz." Twitter

Utah Jazz, Free Agency, Josh Howard, Andrei Kirilenko 

Brian T. Smith: O'Connor said Jazz did their research on Howard. He assured organization past problems are behind him. Twitter

Utah Jazz, Free Agency, Josh Howard 

Brian T. Smith: #UtahJazz's Kevin O'Connor on Josh Howard: "The risk is limited but the potential for reward is enormous." Twitter

Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Josh Howard 

DeSagana Diop: Glad that my boy Josh Howard sign a deal with the jazz. Good dude. Twitter

Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Josh Howard, DeSagana Diop 

Chris Broussard: Josh Howard has agreed to terms with Utah, source says Twitter

Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Josh Howard 

Jeff McDonald: Hearing it is unlikely Josh Howard gets the full $5 million mid-level from anyone. Twitter

Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Josh Howard 

Chris Broussard: Portland, NJ, SA, Washington, Denver also interested in Josh Howard. SA, NJ, Wash and Utah have shown most interest. Twitter

Denver Nuggets, New Jersey Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Josh Howard 

Free agent swingman Josh Howard will meet with the Jazz this week, according to his camp. Howard's publicist said San Antonio gave Howard a "firm offer," as she said the Jazz did last week. General manager Kevin O'Connor said no formal offer was made, but said Utah has had "serious discussions" with Howard. Deseret News

San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Josh Howard, Kevin O'Connor 

Evans and Howard are still speaking with other teams in the interim. Evans would like to come back, and Howard continues to keep the Wizards in the mix despite getting an offer from San Antonio over the weekend, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Howard is also expected to meet with the Utah Jazz this week. Washington Post

San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Josh Howard 

Washington Wizards free-agent forward Josh Howard now has contract offers from the San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz, his representative said. Howard is expected to meet with the Jazz this week. He has already met with Spurs officials, and is still considering re-signing with the Wizards. Yahoo! Sports

San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Josh Howard 

Jeff Zillgitt: Free-agent G Josh Howard plans to meet w/Jazz this week; Spurs, Jazz have offered; Wizards still in the mix, person w/info says. Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Josh Howard 

Michael Lee: Source said Josh Howard has received an offer from San Antonio. JH could meet with Utah this week. #wizards remain in play. Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Free Agency, Josh Howard