Caron Butler was impressed. Having played throughout this off-season with Alonzo Mourning in pickup games, the Heat's Rookie of the Year candidate last season sees the 33-year-old center as still having a lot to offer.

"He looked good," Butler told reporters yesterday at the Heat Summer Jam, a function for Miami area camp kids.

"He's still Zo. He's a monster down there. He's a great shot blocker, a great warrior and a guy that will be missed around here.

"A guy like Zo, no matter what situation he's in, he's going to give his all out there. Whether it's 20 or 40 minutes, he's going to go out there and give you whatever he's got in the tank. He's going to leave it out there."

Mourning is expected to sign a four-year, $22 million deal with the Nets today, when free-agent signings become permissible by NBA rules.