Report: Heat to sign C Mourning

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Tuesday, February 15, 2005


Report: Heat to sign C Mourning

SportsTicker

MIAMI - Alonzo Mourning reportedly will become a member of the Miami Heat to start the second half of the season.

According to a Sun-Sentinel.com report, Miami president Pat Riley confirmed the imminent signing of the veteran center, calling the move a "no-brainer."

Saying the move had nothing to do with sentimentality, Riley addressed the local media at the AmericanAirlines Arena on Tuesday and said Mourning likely would be joining the team for practice Monday in Chicago. The Heat have a game Wednesday, their last before this weekend's All-Star break.

Mourning cleared waivers Tuesday morning and was expected to undergo a team physical later in the day. He is expected to sign for a pro-rated portion of the veteran's minimum of $1.1 million. Riley said Mourning is receptive to a backup role.

Mourning, who returned to the league after a kidney transplant in 2003, never reported to the Toronto Raptors following a trade from New Jersey on December 17 and has not played since December 7 due to an assortment of ailments.

Mourning, who signed as a free agent with the Nets on July 16, 2003, has averaged 19.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in a 13-year career.

Drafted second by Charlotte in the 1992 draft, Mourning underwent kidney transplant surgery on December 19, 2003 and missed 70 games due to focal glomeruloscleosis, which resulted from the kidney problems.


This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index
 
Well Zo could be a facor off the bench behind the fat man. Or he could just eat pay role and sit on the DL. worhth a 1.1 mill risk, wish the Maloofs had taken it.
 
HndsmCelt said:
Well Zo could be a facor off the bench behind the fat man. Or he could just eat pay role and sit on the DL. worhth a 1.1 mill risk, wish the Maloofs had taken it.

From what I understand, it wasn't a matter of the Maloofs taking a risk or not. Zo made it clear he was only considering a couple of teams, and the Kings weren't in the mix.
 
If they sign Zo, the Heat might just have another piece to their championship puzzle. I hope they win this year for the big "fat" guy.
 
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