Alonzo Mourning cleared to play in NBA next season

[HawkTodd]

Alonzo Mourning cleared to play in NBA next season. (5-9-03)

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MIAMI (AP) _ Alonzo Mourning was cleared by doctors to return to the NBA next season for another comeback from kidney disease.

``We're excited and optimistic about the upcoming season and looking forward to getting back on the court,'' his agent, Jeffrey Wechsler, said Friday.

Mourning missed all of the past season. His seven-year, $105 million contract with the Miami Heat expired at the end of the regular season, and he'll become a free agent July 1.

The 33-year-old center was cleared to play after a physical examination Thursday by Dr. Victor Richards, his Miami nephrologist.

Following the exam, Dr. Gerald Appel _ the New York nephrologist overseeing Mourning's treatment _ granted written approval for a return to action.

Mourning has been sidelined since September, shortly before training camp, when doctors told him to skip the 2002-03 season because test results indicated his condition had worsened. Appel has said that a repeat of that setback can be avoided by carefully checking Mourning's body chemistry.

``They're going to continue to monitor him closely so there are no problems like we had last time,'' Wechsler said, ``but we don't anticipate any problems.''

Mourning, a seven-time All-Star, has said his preference is to return to the Heat, but it's uncertain whether that will happen. The Heat have targeted this summer as a chance to upgrade via free agency, but if they re-sign Mourning, they'll lose salary cap flexibility.

Among the options for the Heat would be a sign-and-trade deal that would send Mourning to another team in exchange for another player or players. The Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers have been mentioned as teams with a possible interest in trading for Mourning.

A Heat spokesman said coach Pat Riley was out of town Friday, and the team had no comment on Mourning's status. He can begin contract negotiations July 1, with the NBA's free-agent signing period opening July 16.

Mourning was diagnosed in October 2000 with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a kidney disease that can eventually require a transplant. He played in just the final 13 games for the Heat in the 2000-01 season, but appeared in 75 games the next season and made the All-Star team.