DaKCMan AP
02-11-2005, 03:51 PM
Raptors reach buyout with Alonzo Mourning
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TORONTO (AP) - Alonzo Mourning and the Toronto Raptors agreed on a buyout of his contract Friday, amid speculation the seven-time All-Star center will sign with the Miami Heat.
Mourning, 35, was acquired from New Jersey in a trade for Vince Carter on Dec. 17 but never reported to the Raptors. Should he clear waivers - which is likely because he's owed at least $14 million under his current contract - Mourning would be free to sign with the Heat on Tuesday.
The Raptors didn't reveal buyout details. A news conference in Toronto was scheduled for later Friday.
``Alonzo does not meet our medical conditions to play for our basketball team,'' Toronto general manager Rob Babcock said. ``While we realize it may be possible for him to play in limited circumstances, we've been able to confirm our expectations that ... he would not be able to fit into our long-term strategy.''
Mourning, who underwent a kidney transplant Dec. 19, 2003, stopped playing in early December because of hip, knee, hand and leg problems. He was openly unhappy with the Nets' offseason moves, and demanded a trade to a contender. The Nets and Mourning discussed a buyout, but the two sides were too far apart.
Heat executives had no immediate comment, and Mourning's agent, Jeffrey Wechsler, said Friday that he hadn't spoken to Miami about a possible reunion with their former franchise cornerstone.
``It doesn't concern anybody at this point because nothing's happened,'' Heat coach Stan Van Gundy said. ``Everything's hypothetical. There's nothing to say.''
If Mourning becomes a free agent, Miami - which has the Eastern Conference's best record, but is only 11-10 against the West - could sign him for a prorated share of the $1.1 million veteran minimum salary.
``Zo would make any team better,'' Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. ``We've all got a great relationship. We've all got great respect for him.''
Added Heat center Shaquille O'Neal: ``It definitely makes us stronger and it's something I accept.''
The notion of Mourning's return to Miami, for whom he was under contract for eight years, isn't new; rumors that he'd like to be back have swirled for weeks. He was at Miami's home game against Houston on Jan. 30, and drew loud cheers from fans who noticed him leaving through a courtside tunnel.
Lisa Joseph, a spokeswoman for Mourning, said he would have no comment Friday.
Mourning averaged 10.4 points and 7.1 rebounds in 18 games for the Nets this season. He played in 12 games for the Nets in 2003-04, retiring three weeks into that season because of complications from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a kidney disease that was first diagnosed in 2000.
The kidney disease kept Mourning out for much of Miami's 2000-01 season, but he played in 75 games the next year and made the All-Star team. Yet his condition deteriorated again and he missed the entire 2002-03 season, his last in a $105 million, seven-year deal with the Heat.
Wechsler wouldn't couldn't comment on Mourning's health status. A message left for Dr. Gerald Appel, one of Mourning's physicians, wasn't returned.
Since joining the NBA out of Georgetown in 1992, Mourning - who lives in Miami - has averaged 19.8 points and 9.6 rebounds in 652 career regular-season games.
02/11/05 16:07
http://sportsillustrated.aimtoday.cnn.com/sports/story.jsp?floc=sp-nba-5-l1&flok=FF-APS-2030&idq=/ff/story/0030%2F20050211%2F1607693526.htm&sc=2030
</FONT>
TORONTO (AP) - Alonzo Mourning and the Toronto Raptors agreed on a buyout of his contract Friday, amid speculation the seven-time All-Star center will sign with the Miami Heat.
Mourning, 35, was acquired from New Jersey in a trade for Vince Carter on Dec. 17 but never reported to the Raptors. Should he clear waivers - which is likely because he's owed at least $14 million under his current contract - Mourning would be free to sign with the Heat on Tuesday.
The Raptors didn't reveal buyout details. A news conference in Toronto was scheduled for later Friday.
``Alonzo does not meet our medical conditions to play for our basketball team,'' Toronto general manager Rob Babcock said. ``While we realize it may be possible for him to play in limited circumstances, we've been able to confirm our expectations that ... he would not be able to fit into our long-term strategy.''
Mourning, who underwent a kidney transplant Dec. 19, 2003, stopped playing in early December because of hip, knee, hand and leg problems. He was openly unhappy with the Nets' offseason moves, and demanded a trade to a contender. The Nets and Mourning discussed a buyout, but the two sides were too far apart.
Heat executives had no immediate comment, and Mourning's agent, Jeffrey Wechsler, said Friday that he hadn't spoken to Miami about a possible reunion with their former franchise cornerstone.
``It doesn't concern anybody at this point because nothing's happened,'' Heat coach Stan Van Gundy said. ``Everything's hypothetical. There's nothing to say.''
If Mourning becomes a free agent, Miami - which has the Eastern Conference's best record, but is only 11-10 against the West - could sign him for a prorated share of the $1.1 million veteran minimum salary.
``Zo would make any team better,'' Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. ``We've all got a great relationship. We've all got great respect for him.''
Added Heat center Shaquille O'Neal: ``It definitely makes us stronger and it's something I accept.''
The notion of Mourning's return to Miami, for whom he was under contract for eight years, isn't new; rumors that he'd like to be back have swirled for weeks. He was at Miami's home game against Houston on Jan. 30, and drew loud cheers from fans who noticed him leaving through a courtside tunnel.
Lisa Joseph, a spokeswoman for Mourning, said he would have no comment Friday.
Mourning averaged 10.4 points and 7.1 rebounds in 18 games for the Nets this season. He played in 12 games for the Nets in 2003-04, retiring three weeks into that season because of complications from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a kidney disease that was first diagnosed in 2000.
The kidney disease kept Mourning out for much of Miami's 2000-01 season, but he played in 75 games the next year and made the All-Star team. Yet his condition deteriorated again and he missed the entire 2002-03 season, his last in a $105 million, seven-year deal with the Heat.
Wechsler wouldn't couldn't comment on Mourning's health status. A message left for Dr. Gerald Appel, one of Mourning's physicians, wasn't returned.
Since joining the NBA out of Georgetown in 1992, Mourning - who lives in Miami - has averaged 19.8 points and 9.6 rebounds in 652 career regular-season games.
02/11/05 16:07
http://sportsillustrated.aimtoday.cnn.com/sports/story.jsp?floc=sp-nba-5-l1&flok=FF-APS-2030&idq=/ff/story/0030%2F20050211%2F1607693526.htm&sc=2030