Zo to Miami?, Kidd to Denver?

Heat's on for Mourning
Traded Nets center appears to be headed for Miami
Saturday, December 18, 2004
BY DAVE D'ALESSANDRO
Star-Ledger Staff

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- As it turns out, Alonzo Mourning may be getting exactly what he wants -- a chance to play for a ring, in a comfortable environment.

Though it wasn't confirmed by any of the principals, an Eastern Conference general manager said last night that the former Nets center -- traded to Toronto in the Vince Carter deal yesterday -- is going to be redirected to the Miami Heat, the team he put on the map through the first 12 years of his career.

It was unclear if Mourning would receive a buyout from Toronto and then join Miami as a free agent, or if he would be moved in a follow-up trade for a Heat player who earns something in the neighborhood of Mourning's $5.4 million salary.

The first trade, both the Nets and Raptors said, was even made on the condition that Mourning's physical would be waived.

"We did this trade understanding that his medical condition may mean he never plays for us," Toronto GM Rob Babcock said. "We would do this trade regardless of whether he was in it or not. He was in it to try and balance the trade out and he's a great player, and it's our feeling that if he doesn't play for us it still is a great trade. If he does play for us, then it's a huge bonus."

But nobody expects that to happen. Not even the guy who traded Mourning.

"That was one of the things talked about during the negotiations," Rod Thorn said of waiving the physical requirement. "There's a chance he might not want to go there. But this trade is not contingent on whether he wants to go there."

Mourning, who had sought a buyout from the Nets during the preseason so that he could pursue another job with a contender, probably will negotiate his release from Toronto shortly. Otherwise, Lawrence Frank's remarks about their conversation are nonsensical.

"Alonzo was very appreciative," the coach said, more than once, without elaboration -- probably because Mourning had a deal in place to join forces with Shaquille O'Neal.

And while Frank appreciated the center's extraordinary commitment to the game, management was happy to be rid of him. One front office member was blunt: "He's Toronto's headache now," he said.

And Thorn, who gave Mourning a $22.6 million contract prior to the 2003-04 season -- only to have him play just 30 games in two seasons -- sounded relieved.

"With Alonzo, it just didn't work out," the team president said. "He wanted to be elsewhere. He had some good moments for us this year ... but he just wasn't happy here, and he obviously wanted to be someplace else. And now he gets that opportunity. I want to wish him well."

The Nets were actually more upset, however, with the loss of Eric Williams, who became indispensable as their starting forward this season. And Williams, who had signed a three-year deal to play in his native state, was crushed when informed of the deal in mid-afternoon, because he'll be separated from his 9-year-old son.

"I'm the one guy who loves New Jersey -- I had waited my whole career for this," said Williams, who watched the Nets' game against the Grizzlies as a spectator last night because he didn't want to sit around the team's hotel.

"It was the same time last year, going from Boston to Cleveland. And now I'm leaving the country. I really thought I had stability, you know? At least for three years, anyway. But that's the business, I guess. I'm not bigger than the game."

NETS NOTEBOOK
Saturday, December 18, 2004
BY DAVE D'ALESSANDRO
Star-Ledger Staff

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- They had only eight guys to play with, but somehow the Nets looked entirely whole again.

It had something to do with Jason Kidd playing a season-high 32 minutes, which certainly gave the Nets a better chance of resembling an NBA team again. His 17 points, eight assists and four rebounds weren't enough, however, as the Nets dropped a 89-84 decision last night to the Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum.

"I felt great out there, a little fatigued, but my legs feel great," Kidd said.

With a roster depleted by yesterday's three-for-one trade with Toronto, the Nets got something from everyone. Richard Jefferson led the Nets with 26 points, and Brian Scalabrine had a career-high 21 points as the other starting forward.

The Nets were in position to steal it, trailing 85-82, when Jefferson turned it over, telegraphing a drive-and-kick attempt that was picked off by Jason Williams with 45 seconds to play.

That ate the clock, but Kidd stole Pau Gasol's dribble and broke back the other way. He missed a left-handed layup at full speed, but Jefferson was there to jam it, getting the Nets within one with 16 seconds left. That forced the Nets to send James Posey to the line, and his two foul shots restored the lead to three (87-84).

That's when Jefferson flubbed a point-blank shot on a drive across the lane with seven ticks left, allowing Posey to put the game away at the line.

"I thought our guys gave a heck of an effort," Nets coach Lawrence Frank said. "Obviously our margin of error was small tonight, but we had some good moments. We're going to be shorthanded the next couple of days, and I don't know how it's going to work out."

Williams, who came off the injured list yesterday, led the Grizz with 27 points.

So the Nets
have Vince Carter to match with Kidd. Want to hear the punch line?

As of late yesterday afternoon, rumors persisted that the Nets were still considering a possible deal with Denver, which would send power forward Nene and point guard Andre Miller to the Nets for Kidd.

It would be remarkable if the Nets pursued this discussion, considering the Carter deal was made in large part to make Kidd a happy Net. But it wouldn't be such a bad move long-term for the Nets, either, as they would get out from under the weight of Kidd's contract -- which has four years and $75 million remaining after this season -- and get younger in the process.

"I'm a Net until told otherwise," Kidd said yesterday, when asked whether he'd like to stick around. "I've always asked to put a competitive team out there, and that's what they're trying to do. I can only do my job. If I concentrate on doing my job, then they'll do theirs and hopefully we'll be one big happy family."

Team president Rod Thorn gave a short, matter-of-fact response when asked if he expects to keep Kidd around long-term with the Carter move.

"We certainly anticipate that," he said. "We're very happy with what we've seen from Jason since his recovery from his surgery."

Kidd believes
Richard Jefferson will benefit most from the Carter acquisition, as he will never see a double-team again when the two are on the floor together.

Jefferson agrees, sort of: "I think it will help me to have another player of his caliber to learn from, and as it was with me and Kenyon (Martin), we were very competitive on the court with each other," he said. "We raised each others level, and sometimes competitiveness is good. Hopefully we can have the same effect on each other."

Except in one area, Jefferson added.

"I'll never be in a dunk contest again," he said.

Something you didn't
know about frequently injured Carter: He's married to a chiropractor. (Insert punch line here). His wife is Dr. Ellen Rucker, his college girlfriend, and they were wed in July in Palm Beach, Fla. Rucker's sister is married to Carter's former North Carolina teammate, Antawn Jamison of the Washington Wizards.

The official
Bruce Ratner statement, issued by his publicist: "We're thrilled for our fans to bring Vince Carter to the Nets. He is a true star, a charismatic personality and one of the most exciting and talented players in the league. Vince provides an immediate impact and gives our fans an electrifying team to watch every night. We are committed to winning and this is an important step."

Also

"The Nets could make another minor deal, but not for size. One source said they might trade a second-round pick to Memphis for former Rutgers and Duke guard Dahntay Jones."

There is a high perecent chance that Alonzo will get traded to Miami later this week or maybe the starting of next week. Toronto will get a shity player for Zo, and TO would have no player to build the team around. As for the Kidd deal, i think they wont trade Kidd rite now. They will Probably trade him in January or Febuary. But the trade sounds unfair--J.Kidd for Nene and A.Miller

zo will have to be traded in 24 hours or the raptors will have to wait 2 months to trade him i think

No way kidd will not go,i don't want to. They must be build around Kidd.New addition Vince etc.But they need quality big men.Without solid center they are just playoff team.

#12:

it's possible that Zo can be bought out and then another team can sign him to a minimum contract... (as the article mentions ) i.e- shandon anderson

would a jalen rose/alonzo mourning + rasual butler/eddie jones/shandon anderson trade work?

would a jalen rose/alonzo mourning + rasual butler/eddie jones/shandon anderson trade work?

Rasual Butler? Shandon Anderson?

I thought it was Malik Allen and one of their young players that's not Rasual

Just fire Babcock!!!!!!!!!! He is making the stupidest trades ever!!!!

theirs news that Mailman could be signing with New Jersey cause the Spurs have apparently rejected him .....well done Pop

theirs news that Mailman could be signing with New Jersey cause the Spurs have apparently rejected him .....well done Pop

Kidd,Jefferson,healty Vince + Malone= Contender team!

theirs news that Mailman could be signing with New Jersey cause the Spurs have apparently rejected him .....well done Pop

Kidd,Jefferson,healty Vince + Malone= Contender team!

could be with a good bench