Juwan Howard Signs 10-Day Contract With Miami Heat

It’s no longer a matter of speculation — Juwan Howard has rejoined the Miami Heat. The 40-year old forward inked a 10-day deal today. Per the AP: “It will be his 19th NBA season, and he’s expected to be with the team on Sunday when Miami visits the New York Knicks. And after the way Heat President Pat Riley described the move, it doesn’t appear to be one made just on a whim. ‘Juwan is a key part of the championship culture here in Miami,’ Riley said Saturday in a statement released by the Heat. ‘He is essential to this team and can still play this game at a high level in some of our biggest games yet to come. He has a unique veteran savvy and will provide leadership and experience to our team.’ […] The move was one that the Heat were considering even last fall. When the Heat won the NBA title – Howard’s first ring – he was the first player back to resume workouts at the team practice facility, doing so less than a week after 400,000 fans showed up for the team’s championship parade through downtown Miami. Howard said then that if he played again, it would be in Miami. And when the Heat decided in September to not sign him to the training camp roster, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said that the club would consider bringing him into the mix later in the season if things worked out. With an open roster spot and amid a very hectic March schedule – 18 games in all – the Heat apparently decided Saturday was right to make a move.”