Juwan Discusses Free Agent Status

Sent from official Juwan Howard website, July 11th 2003

First, I'd like to say hello to all of my fans. I want to give you my
official report on my free agent status. I have not decided which team I
am going to continue my career with. I will say that I do not want the
process to drag on and will probably make my decision in the next week.
There are many factors that I will consider when making my final decision.

The biggest factor is WINNING. I want to play for a team that I feel will
give me the best chance of winning, making the playoffs and contending for
an NBA title. The next factor will be the ORGANIZATION. I want to play
somewhere that will provide a comfortable atmosphere for my family and
myself. I want teammates that I can fit in with and know what kind of role
will be expected of me. Another factor will be COACHING. I want to play
for a coach that I feel will give me the best opportunity to win an NBA
title. It is always a necessity to be comfortable with your coach.

I know there have been numerous rumors claiming that I have already
decided on where I will play. Please do not buy into these rumors. Hearing
it from my mouth is the only real way to find out if a rumor is accurate.
In response to rumors about me possibly playing in Chicago or Detroit, I
just want to say that I have not ruled out either of those teams. As a
matter of fact, Detroit is one of the teams that I am strongly considering
playing for. Many players, including myself, envision playing for their
hometown team. If it happens, it will be a treat. But like I said, I have
to look at the most ideal situation that will give me the chance to win,
whether that's a team near my hometown or not.

While I am addressing rumors, let me address the rumor about the Lakers
being interested in acquiring my services, I was never contacted by the
Lakers. Actually my agent, David Faulk, and I heard a rumor that the
Lakers were interested in me and called them to find out whether there was
any truth behind it. They let us know that they were focusing on obtaining
another player that played a different position (which we figured was Gary
Payton). We understood that and said we'd keep the phone lines open if
they wanted to contact us. Our guess about Payton was correct and they
went out and got him. Then Karl Malone decided to move from Utah and join
the Lakers too, which turned out to be even better for them. I respect
both Payton and Malone. They are good players, probably the best at their
positions. They will help the Lakers contend for a title next season.

I must admit, it would have been nice to play for the Lakers but I never
said that they were my number one option. I only said that I would
consider playing for them if they were considering me. This is a business
and I respect their decision. I appreciate all of the Laker fans that have
contacted me through my website and showed me that they wanted me to be a
part of their team. That means a lot to me and it lets me know that the
fans really appreciate what I bring as player and a person. Thanks again
Laker fans!

While I am thanking fans, I would like to extend a very special 'thank
you' to all of the Denver Nuggets fans for their support! I means a lot
that you have been so appreciative for what I've done for the city and the
organization. I have enjoyed the last year and a half here in Denver.
Hopefully you will continue to support me and my family. It feels good to
get emails from so many of you saying that you understand that this is a
tough and important decision for me. I am at a point in my career that I
am not getting any younger and my goal has been from day one to win a
title. There are a lot of teams out there, including Denver, that I see
myself fitting in really well with and I haven't made a final decision
yet. The city of Denver and the Nuggets organization will always have a
strong place in my heart.

As I said before, I will make my decision about my basketball future in a
week. I have been weighing all of my options - the pros and cons of each
scenario. I have some very good choices in front of me and now I have some
tough choices to make. It is good to have choices of course. This is going
to be one of the most important decisions of my career and I just want to
make sure that I make the right one.

Juwan