Alonzo

Mourning

The two sides just don’t look like a good fit right now. Mourning wants a ring, and coach Pat Riley made it clear the Heat isn’t in position to offer a multiyear deal or much money.

Mourning hasn’t committed to playing this season, but he wants to give it a try. “I am feeling great and I am excited about attending training camp and possibly resuming my career,” he said in the statement.

The Nets don’t really want Mourning to return -- if the stays retired, he’ll no longer count against the cap starting next year -- but they can’t force him not to play. “It’s going to be what it’s going to be,” Nets CEO Rod Thorn said. “If he tries to come back, we’ll see what happens.”

Nets president Rod Thorn said the sides are so far apart “it’s a dead issue.” Mourning has $17 million left on his current deal. He’d probably have to give up the majority of it if he wants out. “All I can do is continue to try and do what I do best, that’s play the game of basketball,” Mourning said today. “I’m willing to sacrifice a ton of money in order to continue to do this somewhere else. Evidently they don’t see it as an appropriate number for them. They want more.”

One league source believes Mourning’s bound for Miami, perhaps after a buyout.

Mourning has many assorted injuries, including right knee tendinitis. “To be very truthful,” coach Lawrence Frank said, “there is no timetable.” We don’t expect much out of Alonzo anymore.

Mourning, traded to Toronto as part of the Vince Carter blockbuster, could get $9-$10 million, one source said. He’s not even expected to report to Toronto. Once he’s free, Mourning is expected to join the Miami Heat.

Might not be a bad idea. The advice from Mourning’s friends continues to pour in about retiring. His Georgetown coach John Thompson said, “The guy has beautiful children, a beautiful wife. He doesn’t need the money. But I can’t force him to (retire). If he lets me, I’ll tell him how to run his life.” Considering the health risks, it’s hard to see how Mourning benefits from playing with the hapless Nets these days.

“I’m sure the world wants to see me play 35 minutes 40 minutes, but I didn’t come back here for [that],” Mourning said. “That wasn’t my intention, to carry a ball club. I don’t think health-wise, long-term, that’s beneficial.” Mourning would be so much better off on a winning team that could use him for a strong 20 minutes off the bench every game.

The Heat balked at taking on Mourning’s contract, which has three years and $17.6 million left. Too bad, because Alonzo’s return from a kidney transplant would look a lot more meaningful if he could play for a winner, and spelling Shaquille O’Neal for 15-20 minutes a night would be a good fit.