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Josh Howard comes to Utah after playing only 53 games over the past two seasons.
Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin, however, is optimistic the prototypical small forward is healthy enough to contribute during the upcoming 66-game season.
Howard and the Jazz agreed to a one-year contract Thursday.
General manager Kevin O'Connor has met face-to-face with Howard and the Jazz "have done background," Corbin said.
"We've talked to a therapist who has been working with him and we talked to some doctors. ... We talked to people about where he is [and] feel very comfortable that he's ready to play."
The Jazz believe Howard will bring valuable experience to a roster that includes young wing players like Gordon Hayward and Alec Burks.
"It's very exciting to have a chance to improve the team," Corbin said. "I think he's a great veteran. The team will feed off his experiences in the league. He's a tremendous player. We're just excited to add him to this bunch."
Howard is expected to dress for Saturday night's public scrimmage at EnergySolutions Arena "so the fans can see him and he can get his feet wet," Corbin said.
Headband ban stands
Howard will deal with one change in Utah.
Reminded his newest player wears a headband, Corbin said, "He used to wear a headband."
Does Howard know the Jazz don't allow headbands?
"If not," Corbin said, "we'll remind him."
Cuts will wait
The Jazz now have 18 players in training camp.
Utah is expected to take a 13- or 14-man roster into the regular season, meaning cuts must be made.
According to Corbin, however, nothing will happen until after the Jazz return from Monday night's preseason game against the Trail Blazers.
"These guys have been working extremely hard," he said. "We're going to Portland with everybody, and we'll see where everything falls then."
Corbin praised the play of his young bubble players.
"It's been a tremendous fight," he said. "These guys are making it tough because they've laid everything they have out there. They came in camp in great shape and ... they've continued to compete through two-a-days. They're making it tough for us because they've competed so hard."
Briefly
Point guard Jamaal Tinsley has returned to practice after missing two days with a stomach ailment. … Al Jefferson was held out of practice Friday morning as a precaution because of a sore hamstring. ... The NBA's amnesty deadline passed Friday without any move by the Jazz.