I know he's old and slow but our game isn't going to be a running game like the Nets so he won't be as hindering in our line-up. It would make Cato expendable to be traded off for a quality PF though . What does everyone think? Opinions? I'd love to hear them as long as they are respectable http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1630607 Associated Press EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New Jersey Nets have reached a tentative agreement to buy out the contract of eight-time All-Star center Dikembe Mutombo, a deal that is believed to be worth approximately $30 million. Mutombo Nets president Rod Thorn and David Falk, Mutombo's agent, brokered the deal on Saturday. It probably will be finalized Monday, Thorn said. The move saves the Nets about $7 million in salary owed to Mutombo through the end of next season, and it gives the four-time NBA defensive player of the year a chance to find a team where he can contribute. It was unlikely Mutombo would play much with the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions. "This is basically a salary-cap decision on our part," Thorn said Saturday evening. "We have depth at that position. Deke looks terrific. I don't have anything but good things to say about him." Thorn tried to trade Mutombo this summer, but there were few takers with $37 million still left on his contract. Mutombo's one season in New Jersey was a major disappointment for him and for the team. He didn't fit in early with the team's up-tempo style, and he never found a role after tearing a ligament in his right wrist in November and being sidelined for 56 games. Mutombo, who averaged 5.8 points and 6.4 rebounds in 24 regular-season games last season, said the move was purely monetary. "It's part of life. It happens," Mutombo said. "I gained a lot of friendships, but I never thought about getting hurt before. It's too bad the injury created so much doubt in people's minds." Mutombo, who is 37, thinks he can play another four or five years. "I know a lot of teams are interested in me," he said. "I'll find a home some way." Nets coach Byron Scott, who was annoyed when Mutombo complained about his lack of playing time in the playoffs, said the 7-foot-2 center has looked good in practice this week. "All things considered, the way he was playing the first two days, he was going to have a big role on our team," Scott said. That seems questionable with the Nets' roster. Jason Collins and Aaron Williams handled most of the work at center after Mutombo was hurt, and New Jersey added Alonzo Mourning as a free agent in the offseason. "I didn't see if it was going to make life easier just because Deke is gone," Scott said. "I didn't think it was going to be a problem." The Nets shipped Keith Van Horn and center Todd MacCulloch to the Philadelphia 76ers after being swept by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2002 NBA Finals. Mutombo was seen as the final piece of the puzzle for the Nets, who were dominated by Shaquille O'Neal in their first trip to the championship round. Mutombo had played well against O'Neal in the finals the previous year. Before last season, Mutombo had missed just 28 games in his first 11 seasons.
Good for NJ? Yes. He's a step down from Cato at this point in his career; he's deteriorated that much.
By the time we are ready to challenge for the title, Mutombe would be too old & wouldn't have anything left to help us (Actually, he's already on a rapid decline). So... NO.
Dike is a malcontent bum. He might, might be a good pickup for another team. But not the rox. It would kill me to have to see him and his ugly ass hook playing for the rox.
this is actually bad for us. what happens if he goes to the suns, blazers, sonics, mavs, ect.... it couuld really screw us out of playoff position.
Not to get too far off topic, and yes I know it was a two year contract, but there went a huge expiring contract, and NJ couldn't give it to anybody. Rice's expiring contract - we got all we could get.
If Mutombo can be healthy (and after all the games he missed last year that's a big if) then signing him to the vet minimum would be great. It would allow us alot of freedom to move Cato and even as much as he's deteroriated he's certainly a step up from Amaechi and I have to think he's still better than the bulk of back up centers out there. Due to his health though, It really is a gamble. Also obviously the Rockets would have no interest in signing him if they have no intent on trading Cato. And they may not. I mean there are worse situations to be in than having to pay Cato what we do to be our back up for Yao. Despite his flaws he really did come out last year and provide energy, toughness and rebound well. He seemed to like to punish those who had played Yao too rough as well. I liked that.
two things: 1.if Mavs end up with him,I will be convinced that Mark CUban was behind this "buy out "thing all along and probably helped out NJ under the table with $$$ 2.I remember DM trying to hurt ming last year by elbowing him in the collar bone. Id be shocked if we went after him. But then again,JVG likes dirty players so maybe we can make it work.
You're missing the point ; It wasn't injuries that limited him, Mutumbo WAS healthy for a large portion of last year. He logged a lot of DNP-CD's more than DNP-injury. he didn't play because he is not very good anymore. He is laterally impeded, to put it gently, on defense; and f-ed up NJ's offense because he would just stand in the middle and clog everything up. He was number 3 on the depth chart behind Aaron Williams and Jason Collins last year. He is just not good.
It doesn't matter to me if he's to old, can't move laterally anymore, not healthy or a malcontent bum. It's still scary to think that the Dallas Marvericks could throw in a lineup of Dirk, Jamison, Nash, Finley and Mutumbo.
considering that that would be an inferior lineup to the one with Bradley playing center, it's not scary to me.
anyone think he can potentially land in phoenix? now there's a donut team if there ever was one... not good for us at all.
Who cares.............. Isn't Dike like 105 yrs old anyway?????? I heard nobody really knows his real age.........sounds like a quality pick up to me
