HoopsHype.com Rumors

Utah Jazz forward Josh Howard will return tonight from a knee injury in big game against the Phoenix Suns. Howard has averaged 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 23.4 minutes in 41 games with the Jazz this season. He underwent surgery on March 22 in New York City to clean up a chip in the lateral femoral cartilage of his left knee. Sulia

Utah Jazz, Josh Howard, Injuries 

Brian T. Smith: Josh Howard said he expects to go through full practice today. Hopes to be active Tuesday vs. Suns. Twitter

Washington Wizards, Josh Howard 

Brian T. Smith: #UtahJazz's Josh Howard is a serious bowler but hasn't hit the lanes in nearly two years. Had to hold off after ACL injury. Twitter

Utah Jazz, Josh Howard, Injuries 

Brian T. Smith: #UtahJazz's Josh Howard hasn't had a setback during rehab and hasn't experienced any swelling. Twitter

Utah Jazz, Josh Howard, Injuries 

Jazz wingman Josh Howard, out with a knee injury, attended practice but did not participate. He did cardio work on a stationary bike, lifted some weights and spoke about a quicker-than-expected return from the injury that has sidelined him since March 18. "It’s moving along great — feeling great every day," Howard said. "It’s already two weeks out, come Wednesday, and the prognosis was three to four weeks. So just going continue to keep working. Hopefully, they might cut me loose early. If not, I’m going to shoot for the playoffs, for sure." Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Josh Howard, Injuries 

David Locke: Josh Howard just walked in without any limp at all. Moving so well Paul Millsap asked if he had had his surgery Twitter

Utah Jazz, Josh Howard, Injuries 

Jazz forward Josh Howard recently underwent surgery on his left knee, O’Connor said. While Utah initially ruled Howard out for the rest of the 2011-12 season, he hopes to return before the year is complete. The Salt Lake Tribune reported Wednesday that Howard was upbeat after receiving a pre-surgery second opinion and could soon begin his recovery process. O’Connor said there’s no official timetable for Howard’s return, though, and the Jazz don’t want to rush him back. "We just don’t know. It’ll probably be two to three weeks for an update," O’Connor said. "But the problem is, I don’t want to say it’s this long and it’s not, and then you go, ‘Oh [no].’ " Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Josh Howard, Injuries 

Brian T. Smith: #UtahJazz's Josh Howard has received second opinion on left knee. Will likely undergo surgery on Wednesday. If all goes well, Howard believes he could be riding a stationary bike in about a week and might be able to return before regular season is over. Twitter

Utah Jazz, Josh Howard, Injuries 

Josh Howard almost couldn't believe what he was being told Tuesday afternoon when brought in to discuss his ailing knee. Worst part, it was as unfortunate as it was unexpected. Howard's knee had experienced some soreness and swelling for the past couple of weeks, and the team decided to have him undergo an MRI just to see what was going on inside of his joint. He expected it to be a routine check-up. No biggie. Turns out, Howard has been playing with a loose chip in the lateral femoral cartilage in his left knee. Jazz team orthopedist Dr. Lyle Mason recommended surgery, which would prevent further damage but likely end Howard's season. Howard's response? "One word," he said. "Surprised." Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Josh Howard, Injuries 

David Locke: BREAKING NEWS -- Utah Jazz forward Josh Howard to undergo surgery on left knee out for the remainder of the season (Correction left knee) Twitter

Utah Jazz, Josh Howard, Injuries 

Brian T. Smith: Howard underwent MRI Monday that showed chip in left knee. Surgery date hasn't been planned but he's expected to miss remainder of year. Twitter

Utah Jazz, Josh Howard, Injuries 

Marc J. Spears: Lakers, Spurs, Knicks and Celtics have expressed interest in trading for Utah G-F Josh Howard, a source says. Jazz don't want to make deal. Twitter

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Trade, Josh Howard 

Brian T. Smith: Sources close to Josh Howard, C.J. Miles unaware of any trades involving players. Howard, Miles in final year of contracts. Twitter

Utah Jazz, Trade, Josh Howard, CJ Miles 

The San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves are discussing a three-team deal, according to sources close to the situation. Nothing is imminent, but the teams will continue to talk over the next two days. In the rumored deal, the Spurs would acquire Josh Howard, the Timberwolves would acquire C.J. Miles and Jamaal Tinsley and the Jazz would acquire Danny Green and Wayne Ellington. Other players and draft picks will likely be included in the finalized trade. HoopsWorld

Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Josh Howard, Danny Green, Jamaal Tinsley, Wayne Ellington 

In the rumored deal, the Spurs would acquire Josh Howard, the Timberwolves would acquire C.J. Miles and Jamaal Tinsley and the Jazz would acquire Danny Green and Wayne Ellington. Other players and draft picks will likely be included in the finalized trade. Utah holds a $10.9 traded-player exception and San Antonio holds a $854,400 traded-player exception as well. Sources described the talks as ongoing, but stressed that no deal is imminent. HoopsWorld

Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Trade, Josh Howard, Danny Green, Jamaal Tinsley, Wayne Ellington 

The church also caused his first break. At Wake Forest, (Josh) Howard didn’t buy into the stereotype of being just another dumb basketball player — initially reinforced by his struggles passing the SAT. Once enrolled, Howard started flipping pages. He dived into religion and international studies, soaking up new ideas. Intrigued by Islam, he never converted but was awed by the dedication of the devout. “I learned too much and opened my mind,” Howard said. “Not saying that I totally disregard any of the views as far as the Baptist church, I’m just more open.” His awakening had only begun. Years before he became national talk-show fodder during his personal trials in Dallas, Howard questioned the United States’ invasion of Iraq in 2003. Hate mail poured in. The message: stay in your place, don’t talk, just play ball. “When I read it, I seriously took offense — you really don’t know who I am or what I know or what I do,” Howard said. “It was just a part of life and part of growing up.” Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Josh Howard 

Howard's mother married his stepfather in 1991. "Some of the things my stepdad taught me, I still carry with me up until this day," Howard said. The couple are still married and attended Utah games this season in Toronto and Dallas, brining Howard's children with them. Howard never knew his biological father. "I don't hold that against him because I don't know the relationship that he and my Mom had," Howard said. "As far as being a man and trying to reach out to me, I still don't know why. But at this point, I'm a grown man myself. So I don't hold nothing against him. It's just life. A life lesson." Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Josh Howard 

"Taking it a step further … I was born breached and bowlegged, so they had to break my legs. I don't really share that much. But for me to make it through that, it let me know that somebody was up there watching me. I keep rolling. I keep trucking. Even with the ACL injury, for me to be able to come back as fast as I did … playing on one leg." "I haven't found a church [in Salt Lake City]. I just keep a relationship with God." Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Josh Howard 

"I got into some hot water about some of the things I said about the war. … Bush getting us in war, and I felt like we shouldn't be in the war at the time." "I remember I got hate mail. A guy basically told me I should stay in my place and be a basketball player and don't talk. When I read it, I seriously took offense. You really don't know who I am or what I know or what I do. It was just a part of life and part of growing up." Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Josh Howard 

Josh Howard on how everything's working out for him with Utah: This definitely will be a place I can see myself finishing my career at. The fan support is great. [Taking] into account the players that are here, the guys come to work everyday, no matter what the situation is. That was something I was looking for after leaving D.C. I'm not saying nothing bad about them. But I just wanted guys that'll come out and play hard, night-in an night-out. Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Josh Howard