http://www.bergen.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcn...2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2Alonzo plans comeback with Nets
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
By STEVE ADAMEK
STAFF WRITER
The Nets' need for size in the wake of Kenyon Martin's departure could be helped by the big man they thought would enhance their size a year ago: Alonzo Mourning.
The seven-time All-Star center, who announced his retirement 12 games into last season to undergo a kidney transplant, is expected to announce as early as this week his intention to return, a league source indicated Monday.
And because he has three years remaining on the four-year, $22.6 million deal he signed 13½ months ago, he still belongs to the Nets. The question, though, is if he does come back at age 34, would he be part of the post-Martin solution or just the tease he was last season.
"If he can play, if he's healthy and can play, obviously it's very good [for the Nets]," said team CEO Rod Thorn, who said he hasn't been told of a Mourning comeback but that "It wouldn't surprise me."
"Alonzo Mourning wants to come back," the source said. "He's going to make an attempt."
Either way, the Nets have to pay 'Zo the more than $17 million remaining on his contract because his kidney condition prevented them from insuring the deal. Part of their plan to create salary-cap room after this season, however, was to apply to remove him from the cap, as league rules allow them to do if he doesn't play for two straight seasons.
If he plays, or perhaps even if he tries to, that two-year clock stops ticking and the Nets would lose more than $5 million from a cap-room stash of as much as $30 million they could have to spend on free agents after this season.
"It's going to be what it's going to be," Thorn said. "If he tries to come back, we'll see what happens."
A post-kidney transplant return, however, would not be unprecedented. Sean Elliott returned to the Spurs during 2000 eight months after his August 1999 transplant. He played 19 games before retiring.
Mourning underwent his surgery Dec. 19, almost 8½ months ago.
If he does play, Mourning would join a front line severely weakened by Martin's departure for Denver. Incumbent centers Jason Collins (who started ahead of Mourning last season) and Aaron Williams remain, with free agent Eric Williams, 2002 first-round pick Nenad Krstic, and rookie free agent Kyle Davis among the power forward candidates.
Agent Jeffrey Wechlser, meanwhile, would not confirm or deny whether Mourning would be making an announcement about his future and said his client was "out of the country" Monday. He also wouldn't say whether he's been in contact with the Nets about a Mourning comeback, while Thorn said he hasn't spoken to Mourning in "quite a while."
Almost three months ago, Mourning said that "barring a miracle," it was "not my intention" to make a comeback. Yet, he has been working out all summer and played in his Miami charity game.
He averaged 8.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 17.9 minutes in his 12 games with the Nets last season.
