MIAMI - The Shaun Livingston comeback is over. At least for now. At least with the Miami Heat.
Livingston was informed of his release after Monday night's 91-84 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at AmericanAirlines Arena, with the team expected to make a formal announcement later this morning.
The former Los Angeles Clippers point guard was signed as a free agent on Oct. 3. He had been attempting a comeback from a gruesome Feb. 26, 2007 knee injury that left him with a dislocated left kneecap and three torn ligaments.
While the comeback had been limited to four appearances totaling 41 minutes this season -- his first NBA action since the injury -- his release was based more on the salary cap that fitness.
The contract Livingston signed with the Heat guaranteed only $370,000 for this season, a figure that keeps the team below the punitive dollar-for-dollar luxury tax on excessive payrolls.
With all NBA contracts becoming guaranteed for the season by week's end, the Heat had to make a decision on Livingston in advance of its upcoming seven-game trip. Livingston's contract also called for a partial contract guarantee for next season, at the Heat's option.
Well someone had to get released at some point when Zo gets back and we were all wondering who that would be. But with Jamaal playing more lately and Diawara playing well, we didnt know who it would be. Now we know.
Jamaal sucks but it is just unfortunate... Heat have Mario who is starting and Banks and Quin competing for minutes Livingston is the odd man out, especially with DQ playing so well. There are 0 minutes at the 1 and 2 combine IMO.
I was hoping that we keep him and he would make a strong comeback next year, I guess we have our future set with Mario and Quinn.
With Zo back, do we really need Mags? We already have Bease, Haslem, Joel and then Zo? There is still Marion that can play the 4 and Blount.
I dont know about Quinn having any part in our future but I think Mario's play this season took away the need at PG. Especially one who's still not healthy enough to play nightly and taking up a roster spot, on a team that eventually had to release someone in order to resign Zo.
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Last edited by Wade2Matrix : 01-05-2009 at 10:18 PM.
With the play of Chris Quinn, and the emergance of Mario, it was only a matter of time for Livingston.
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With Zo back, do we really need Mags? We already have Bease, Haslem, Joel and then Zo? There is still Marion that can play the 4 and Blount.
Yeah because in Zo we're talking about a 38 yr old who hasnt gone through training camp and is coming off a serious injury. We'll still need Jamaal just in case Zo gets hurt or isnt able to play for a few games. This team also needs all the size possible and Jamaal is the biggest guy on the roster. Most of our other big guys are undersized 4's and our tallest player, Mark Blount, plays like he's 6'1.
We need to hope he signs with another team. It'll greatly help our luxury tax issues (I think whatever he gets paid by another team comes off of our cap). I think that's part of the reason why we cut him - he probably still has suitors around the league.
Livingston seemingly had grown increasingly frustrated over his lack of opportunity, displaying disappointment over his nightly spot on the inactive list.
Thats unfortunate. Sounds like he's been wanting to play for a while now.
Agreed that he's not needed for a while with Mario & Quinn. It was nice to have him around under the idea that he'd grow into a starting PG, or a challenging back-up with his size, but that was more hope than anything.
Right choice I guess, best of luck to Livingston.
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Quote:
"The next timeout we just simplified everything. Wrote down the play. I said, ‘Get the **** out of Dwyane’s way.’"
Yeah because in Zo we're talking about a 38 yr old who hasnt gone through training camp and is coming off a serious injury. We'll still need Jamaal just in case Zo gets hurt or isnt able to play for a few games. This team also needs all the size possible and Jamaal is the biggest guy on the roster. Most of our other big guys are undersized 4's and our tallest player, Mark Blount, plays like he's 6'1.
Good point, I didn't think of that. In my mind, he had a long time to rest from injury and apparently has been in shape, of course NBA shape is different, but then again we are talking about Zo. He's a gym rat. I don't expect him to be giving us what he did during our chip run, but I think he will be a solid starter in the NBA.
also, was the sarcasm that necessary? I don't think what I was saying was that farfetched.
Good point, I didn't think of that. In my mind, he had a long time to rest from injury and apparently has been in shape, of course NBA shape is different, but then again we are talking about Zo. He's a gym rat. I don't expect him to be giving us what he did during our chip run, but I think he will be a solid starter in the NBA.
also, was the sarcasm that necessary? I don't think what I was saying was that farfetched.
Sad to see Shaun go, but someone had to. I hope he can get another team, 1. To help our tax, but 2. Because he's talented and I want to see him playing a good level of ball. Like I think it was MB30 said, I was excited to have signed him. Shame it didn't work out.
Update: Heat trade Livingston to Memphis
Update: Heat trade Livingston to Memphis
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