Mavs seeking Mourning, but Riley wants to keep 'Zo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ESPN.com news services The Dallas Mavericks have contacted the Miami Heat regarding veteran center Alonzo Mourning, ESPN's David Aldridge reported Wednesday night. The discussions are very preliminary, and Miami coach and president Pat Riley has said all summer that he will not trade Mourning, who is entering the final year of his contract. It is believed that the Mavericks would offer guard Nick Van Exel as part of a package for Mourning, who returned to action last season after missing most of the 2000-01 season with a kidney disorder. Mourning averaged 15.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 32.7 minutes last season, down from his career numbers of 20.3, 9.8, 3.0 and 35 minutes, but his playing time early in the season was limited because of the kidney disorder. Earlier this summer, the New York Knicks were reported to be pursuing Mourning, but Riley shot down that deal. "Coach (Pat) Riley has gone on record saying that 'Zo will be on the team this year, and it's our intention to re-sign 'Zo at the end of the season," Heat spokesman Tim Donovan told the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel at the time. In the same report from Aug. 9, the newspaper cited Mourning's desire to stay in South Florida. "I want to be (in Miami), but I can deal with change," Mourning told the paper. "I know the business, and I've seen some strange things." ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Who else would the Mavs drop besides NVE to get Zo?
Offer NVE as part of a package for Zo? That is quite generous of Cuban & Nelson. They had better come up with a multi team trade so Riley can get something that he really wants.
Why sign Lafrentz to that huge contract, and then pursue Zo? Ahh, Cuban and the way he throws around that money...
maybe it could involve the Knicks, they want Van Excel and Riley can rebuild the Knicks in another city
cuban is not a very dependable person he trades so many people all the time. No one ther eis safe except dirk. It would not be a good idea for lewis to sign ther ecuban is very unfaithful, he might trade him that same year or the next. Shoot he might trad ehim back to seattle for payton one day. never know
Yeah, Dallas has become the revolving door of the NBA. This Zo thing was probably just some sort of routine call (I bet Cuban makes 10 of these per day). Probably it went like this : Cuban : "Hey! Would you trade Zo for NVE, Bradley and Eschmayer? Maybe I would even consider adding Tariq Abdul-Wahad." Riley : Uh, err, hell no. Cuban : OK. Just askin'. Bye. (hangs up, dials Jerry West's number) Cuban : Hi Jerry, I have this fabulous idea. Would you consider trading Pau Gasol for Shawn Bradley and TAW? West : Uh, err, are you crazy? Cuban : Ok, Just askin', thx bye. ... My bet is, the Mavs will try to sign Shawn Kemp. Cuban seems to like bad boys. Statistically speaking, his bad boy consumption is about one per year, at least that's what his track record suggests (Rodman, Mad Max, NVE). So, Shawn Kemp might exactly fit the bill...
Dal might have been able to pull off a sign and trade with LaFrentz going to Mia along with NVE for Zo. Though I don't know if LaFrentz would want to go to Mia, or if Mia would take that trade. Miami is very keen of the idea that Zo's fat contract runs out this year, and they can have some much needed cap/lux tax relief. Miami will prob try to force a team to take Brian Grant's contract, if they want Zo. That won't happen, so Zo won't be traded.
With next year's free agency market, I don't think there's ANY way that Zo will be traded for guys like NVE and LaFrenz...
Sportswriters have speculated a Brian Grant for Derrick Coleman swap. I really think Miami wants that cap space next year, and why not? Considering next year's free agent market. I'd love to see Miami get the Kandi-man (and thus keep him away from San Antonio).
