The Wizards have declined 30-year old small forward Josh Howard’s option for the 2010-11 season valued at $11.8 million bucks. Howard played in 4 games (3 starts) last season for the Wizards averaging 22.8 minutes, 14.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. He played in 35 games (12 starts) overall last season for the Wizards & Mavericks in which he averaged 27.5 minutes, 12.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. Howard has now played in 435 games (371 starts) in his seven years in the NBA and he is averaging 31.6 minutes, 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The Wizards like Howard but they didn’t want to pay him $11.8 million bucks. They might try to bring him back for half of that if he is healthy.

UPDATE: (7/29/2010) - The Wizards have re-signed Josh Howard to a 1-year deal worth slightly less than $4 million bucks. I like this move for the Wizards.