But Howard never got the chance to …

But Howard never got the chance to prove his prediction correct in Washington. The Wizards traded him to Memphis for C.J. Miles one week into July. Sheppard later called it the “fastest trade” he’s ever done, considering the team was in the midst of a youth movement and was looking for ways to clear minutes for 22-year-old centers Moe Wagner, who it had just traded for, and Thomas Bryant, who it had re-signed to a three-year contract. “I didn’t know I was gonna get traded, but I was prepared for anything. … (Sheppard) called me. I guess they had already made the trade and he called me. And it was just like, you’re traded,” Howard said. “Nothing I could do at that point.”