Alonzo Mourning to be bought out

[fgrep15]

David Aldridge reported that the Raptors are working on a buyout of Alonzo Mourning, and he should join the Heat soon.

No link right now, but that's what's going down. He should help the Heat giving them a good presence at PF, and also to backup at center, and he will rebound, block shots and even give some offense.

I'm pretty dissapointed that we're getting nothing in return for him though...unless Miami decides to give us a draft pick just to be nice. I loved how Zo sat at home doing nothing and recieving paychecks.

[Indy]

i think its hilarious that zo was just like no.

im not gonna play for you.

i wanna play for the heat.

and now hes gonna be on the heat.

[Amphatoast]

Just like Jimmy Jackson never suiting up for the Hornets. Cost him money, but now he went from the worst to the 2nd best team record wise.

[Jona]

Yeah, but Zo is JJ's daddy in terms of respect from GMs and the like.
He's been in the league since forever and is a Heat icon.
He will be a great addition for the Heat in my opinion.
Depth for the PF and C spots, along with great locker room presence.
Mmmhhhmmm.

[Amphatoast]

Anther body to put on Duncan, KG, Dirk, Rasheed Wallace, Amare, J. O'Neal, and Webber is going to really help the Heat Chance of winning a championship.
notice all of those are PF who are on contending teams and critical to their team success.

[Drex]

Teams with superstars are always (or most of the times) contenders. And we all know that there aren't many great C's in the League right now.

It's nice to see Zo playing again. He got his wish to play in Miami.

Just like Jimmy Jackson never suiting up for the Hornets.

But Zo wasn't suspended. He was "chilling at home, getting a paycheck" like fgrep15 said

[Matt]

I don't think Zo will be that important for the Heat

[Fresh8]

Yeah.. agree with matt. Exactly how much courtime will he get? Beats me!

[Mikki]

It's settled.

Alonzo Mourning and the Toronto Raptors agreed on a buyout of his contract Friday, clearing the way for the center to sign with the Miami Heat.


Alonzo Mourning
Center
Toronto Raptors
Profile


2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
18 10.4 7.1 0.8 .453 .593

Mourning was acquired from New Jersey in a trade for Vince Carter on Dec. 17 but never reported to the Raptors.

The buyout means Mourning could sign with his former team, Miami, when he clears waivers Sunday No team is expected to claim Mourning because any team that did would have to assume his contract.

Only three teams have the cap room, or trade exceptions, necessary to claim Mourning off waivers -- the Bobcats, Rockets and Nets -- but none appears likely to be willing to swallow the remaining $15 million Mourning has left on his contract.

"I think this is really a win-win for both Alonzo and the Raptors," Mourning's agent, Jeff Weschler, told ESPN Insider Chad Ford. "Clearly, Alonzo wasn't in their long-term plans and Zo wanted the opportunity to explore his options with other teams."

The 35-year-old center, who underwent a kidney transplant Dec. 19, 2003, stopped playing in early December because of what he said were hip, knee, hand and leg problems. He was openly unhappy with the Nets' offseason moves, and had demanded a trade to a contender. The Nets and Mourning discussed buying out his contract, but the two sides were too far apart.

The Raptors didn't reveal the financial details of the buyout, but a source close to the negotiation told Ford that Mourning will receive roughly $10 million of the $15 million that the team still owed him. The amount will be prorated, for cap purposes, over the next two seasons.

Mourning has played a total of 30 games under a contract that will end up paying him $17 million. That means that Mourning earned $566,666 per game under the contract.

So even though Mourning is giving up roughly $5 million to get out of his contract, his per-game total was the richest in NBA history.

Toronto general manager Rob Babcock said a news conference will be held before Friday night's game against Philadelphia.

"Our doctors have thoroughly reviewed his records and consulted with other independent specialists and have determined that Alonzo does not meet our medical conditions to play for our basketball team," Rob Babcock said in a statement. "While we realize it may be possible for him to play in limited circumstances, we've been able to confirm our expectations that because of his medical issues he would not be able to fit into our long-term strategy of building something sustainable.

"We felt it was in the best interests of the Raptors to reach a financial settlement which would provide us additional financial flexibility. We are pleased with the deal we've been able to make and wish Alonzo the best in his future."

Babcock said in December that Mourning was included in the Carter trade so the salaries would match up. Toronto also acquired forwards Aaron Williams and Eric Williams and two first-round draft picks.

The rookie general manager has been criticized for getting little in return for Carter, who seems rejuvenated in New Jersey.

When Mourning clears waivers, he will be free to sign with any team he chooses for a prorated share of the $1.1 million veterans minimum.

Weschler refused to substantiate talk that his client will immediately sign with the Miami Heat once he clears waivers.

"We haven't gotten that far yet," Weschler said. "We just wanted to clear up this situation first. Once he clears waivers, we will look at his options. Really, Zo still has to decide what he wants to do."

Keeping that disclaimer in mind, a source in Miami told Ford that the team would likely begin negotiations with Mourning once he clears waivers with an eye toward adding him to the team, and multiple sources said a deal could happen quickly.

If Mourning is healthy enough to play, his addition should provide some much-needed depth up front for the Heat, Ford reported. Before leaving the Nets, Mourning was averaging 10.4 points per game, 7 rebounds per game and 2.3 blocks per game. The goal would be to have Mourning playing 10 to 15 minutes a night to give Shaq some much-needed rest going into the home stretch.

Mourning started the season on New Jersey's active roster, becoming the second pro athlete to return from a kidney transplant. Former San Antonio Spurs swingman Sean Elliott played 71 games over two seasons after undergoing a transplant in 1999.

Mourning was hindered by an assortment of injuries in 18 regular-season games. An aching right hip makes his leg weak. His right pinkie has torn tendons, and his right knee and right Achilles tendon are sore. The Nets signed Mourning to a four-year, $22.6 million guaranteed contract in July 2003. However, he played only 12 games before retiring Nov. 24 because of complications from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a kidney disease was first diagnosed in 2000.

[8-Hype]

That's tight! Zo is going back to his origin. Man, together with Shaq and D-Wade they will, and I'm really sure about that, they will win the championship! Great news!

[cyanide]

That's tight! Zo is going back to his origin. Man, together with Shaq and D-Wade they will, and I'm really sure about that, they will win the championship! Great news!

Don't be jumping for joy, yet. You don't know how Zo's health will hold up and how much he'll bring to Miami. Also, there's another place called Detroit and the West

[Fresh8]

they have a better chance but its not definate....

[hedpetcd]

That's tight! Zo is going back to his origin. Man, together with Shaq and D-Wade they will, and I'm really sure about that, they will win the championship! Great news!

charlotte was his origin

[th3gh05t]

That's tight! Zo is going back to his origin. Man, together with Shaq and D-Wade they will, and I'm really sure about that, they will win the championship! Great news!

charlotte was his origin

i seriously think that 'origin' is the right word for what he means.

but, sticking with the concept, mothers womb was his origin. hehehe jk

[Amphatoast]

Mourning has played a total of 30 games under a contract that will end up paying him $17 million. That means that Mourning earned $566,666 per game under the contract.

So even though Mourning is giving up roughly $5 million to get out of his contract, his per-game total was the richest in NBA history.

thats nice, over $500,000 a game. Not even Jordan got that much!

[Matt]

meh, im sure Jordan was more than happy with his contracts.