Orlando Will Sign Howard

Veteran forward Juwan Howard intends to sign with the Orlando Magic, joining a team in need of a versatile starter to play alongside guard Tracy McGrady.

Howard probably will be signed to a five-year contract worth between $28 million and $38 million, a source within the NBA said Monday. Howard can sign the contract as early as Wednesday, when the league’s free agency period begins.

Detroit and Minnesota also showed interest in signing the 30-year-old Howard, who averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds last season for the Denver Nuggets.

Howard’s agent, David Falk, said he wouldn’t comment until Wednesday. Orlando Magic spokesman Joel Glass also declined to comment.

The 6-foot-9 former Michigan star has averaged 17.9 points over his nine-year career, which includes six full seasons in Washington and stints in Dallas and Denver.

*

Washington Wizard guard Jerry Stackhouse, facing a misdemeanor assault charge after a woman accused him of grabbing her during a disagreement over his lease of a summer rental home at Atlantic Beach, N.C., called the incident an “unfortunate misunderstanding” that he hoped would be resolved soon.

Atlantic Beach police charged Stackhouse on Sunday with assault on a female, which under state law is punishable by a maximum prison sentence of two years, after Patricia Nagy, 37, a real estate agent for the company that leased the six-room home to Stackhouse, said she suffered a minor injury as a result of being grabbed by the Wizards’ player.

*

The Phoenix Suns signed top draft pick Zarko Cabarkapa to a three-year contract expected to be worth $3.94 million.

The 6-foot-11 forward from Serbia was the 17th overall selection last month in the NBA draft. He was one of two first-round picks by the Suns. The other, point guard, Leandro Barbosa of Brazil, is unsigned.

*

Travis Outlaw signed his first NBA contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. As the 23rd pick of the draft’s first round, the 18-year-old from Starkville (Miss.) High was eligible for a three-year deal worth $2.5 million.

*

LeBron James had two dunks, two airballs, two three-point baskets and two blocked shots in his 25-point, nine-rebound, five-assist effort during the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 87-84 loss to the Boston Celtics in a summer league game at Boston.