Knicks went after Deke....now Mourning? - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

Drbio · 08-08-2002, 01:55 PM

More NY bullcrap rumination......

Report: Knicks asked Riley about Mourning

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ESPN.com news services

After reportedly turning down a deal for Dikembe Mutombo, the New York Knicks are apparently setting their sights on Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning.

Mutombo

Mourning

Knicks general manager Scott Layden has contacted Heat coach Pat Riley regarding Mourning, an unnamed Eastern Conference official told the New York Daily News on Wednesday.

The Knicks signed free agent center Michael Doleac on Wednesday, but Doleac would probably be best suited to come off the bench.

A deal for Mourning would likely have to involve a third team because Mourning, who missed 79 games with career-threatening kidney ailment two years ago, will make $20 million this season.

A Knicks' offer for Mourning would likely include Latrell Sprewell and either Kurt Thomas or Clarence Weatherspoon, according to the Daily News.

Riley, however, may be reluctant to deal Mourning because of his pending free agency. Miami will take only young players or players without long-term contracts because Riley wants to make a run at free agent-to-be Tim Duncan after the 2002-03 season, the Daily News reported. Mourning, 32, would prefer to finish his career in Miami.

The Knicks made a bid for Mutombo before he was dealt to the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday for Keith Van Horn and Todd MacCulloch. Layden rejected a deal that would have cost him Thomas, Travis Knight and Charlie Ward, a league source told the Daily News.

"We don't discuss discussions with other teams," Layden said Wednesday during a conference call.

Last year, Mourning played in 75 games and averaged 15.7 points and 8.4 rebounds. He treats his kidney condition daily with medication. His kidney specialist is located in Manhattan.

MavKikiNYC · 08-08-2002, 03:05 PM

This is getting a lot of buzz on the NYK boards....

I wonder.

But why would Riley do it?

aexchange · 08-08-2002, 03:07 PM

<< More NY bullcrap rumination......

The Knicks made a bid for Mutombo before he was dealt to the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday for Keith Van Horn and Todd MacCulloch. Layden rejected a deal that would have cost him Thomas, Travis Knight and Charlie Ward, a league source told the Daily News.

>>

this is why NY papers are full of shit. pardon my french. why on earth would the knicks turn down this deal? you get rid of 2 huge contracts in ward and knight, and u get a big man that you covet.

MavKikiNYC · 08-08-2002, 03:09 PM

Aex, this is being widely circulated as true.

Layden, sadly, is an idiot.

madape · 08-08-2002, 05:02 PM

If you ask me, there is a reason the heat is trying to offload Morning. It is never a good sign when a team is trying to dump their franchise superstar, former all world center for next to nothing. Riley and the heat must be thinking that Mornings career is on a very very fast decline and they need to find a chump to take him on quickly. Why else would they even consider trading him? This is extremely reminicent of the way Patrick Ewings career ended. I would find it ironic and more than slightly humorous if the Knicks fans were forced to watch Mourning crumble into dust in front of their very eyes.

FilthyFinMavs · 08-08-2002, 06:20 PM

I think probaly why Layden turned it down was because I guess he had NVE in his mind for who he wanted to get in a NVE for Thomas and Ward deal. Being that it wont happen he is a dumb ass for that. He misses out on Keon and Mutombo and maybe even Nick. Why would u turn down basically Mutombo for Kurt Thomas I dont know why but I dont even kown why u would offer that. Ward and Knight shouldnt even count they dont even play much.

TheKid · 08-09-2002, 09:27 AM

Trying to figure out Layden is worthless. The guy is a MEATHEAD in every sense of the word. He acquired McDysse and that's it. Signing Doleac means NOTHING.. I equate the Doleac signing to the Eisley signing, when it happened you knew he would have no impact. The same with Doleac. So if McDysse can't make a huge impact then this team mine as well just trade away all the crap they have.

Rhylan · 08-09-2002, 09:49 AM

Hoopshype.com says that owner James Dolan vetoed the deal.

aexchange · 08-09-2002, 10:04 AM

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MavKikiNYC · 08-09-2002, 10:18 AM

<< Hoopshype.com says that owner James Dolan vetoed the deal. >>

Yep, and if true, dollars to donuts that Layden leaked the word. This could be what does him in. Losing money is one thing, but making the boss look stupid can be lethal.

Rhylan · 08-09-2002, 11:01 AM

Well, but when YOU'RE already widely known as stupid, you don't want to let your boss let you get the blame for being painfully RETARDED, either.

#1MavsFan · 08-09-2002, 03:30 PM

Say it ain't Zo! Heat quashes Knicks rumor

By Harvey Fialkov
Staff Writer
Posted August 9 2002

Before the New York tabloids and local sports talk shows could inflame the Alonzo Mourning-to-arch-rival-Knicks' rumor into a blazing inferno, the Heat quickly doused it.

"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," said Heat spokesman Tim Donovan, with Riley and General Manager Randy Pfund in Los Angeles for the funeral of Lakers' broadcaster Chick Hearn.

The New York Daily News reported on Thursday that according to an "Eastern Conference official" Knicks General Manager Scott Layden called Riley to discuss a swap involving Mourning for swingman Latrell Sprewell and either forward Kurt Thomas or forward Clarence Weatherspoon, two former Heat players.

The "official" also said the Heat rejected Mourning's bid for a contract extension.

Mourning, who was at his Washington home Thursday preparing for this weekend's northeast version of Zo's Summer Groove in his hometown of Norfolk, Va., wasn't available for comment. But recently, after scoring 41 points in Vince Carter's charity game in Toronto, he expressed uncertainty about his future destination.

"I want to be [in Miami], but I can deal with change," said Mourning. "I know the business, and I've seen some strange things."

The trade doesn't make sense on several levels, with the most glaring contradiction having to do with Riley's insistence on clearing salary cap room for next season's glut of stellar free agents, including Tim Duncan.

Mourning, 32, is in the final year of his contract, which will net him $20 million, so why should Riley take on the future back-loaded contracts of Sprewell, Thomas or Weatherspoon? Sprewell and Thomas will earn a combined $18.9 million next year.

Another well-traveled rumor is forward/center Brian Grant (guaranteed $66.5 million through 2006-07) going to the 76ers in a sign-and-trade for free-agent swingman Matt Harpring and enigmatic forward Derrick Coleman. That would make monetary sense for the Heat because Coleman is in the final year of his contract, in which he'll reap $9.3 million this year.

However, Riley questioned why the Sixers didn't opt to re-sign Harpring, and Grant's agent Mark Bartelstein extinguished the brushfire.

"There's nothing going on with that right now," Bartelstein said.

Riley has said while he's not dangling any of his big three (Mourning, Grant and Eddie Jones), there has been plenty of interest.

"We're not shopping any of our big players, but we know the concept of getting better is by drafting, signing free agents and trading," Riley said. "In order to talk crucial assets, you've got to give up crucial assets."

House breaks finger

Restricted free-agent guard Eddie House broke the ring finger on his left hand while playing in a pickup game. He will not require surgery and should recover in 4-6 weeks. The Heat cannot withdraw its $737,000 qualifying offer to House until Oct. 1. "They want Eddie House," said Bartelstein, House's agent. ...

The Heat's exhibition schedule includes the NBA's first game in the Dominican Republic and only one home game at AmericanAirlines Arena.