You really don't have to ask Byron Scott if he's happy.

Exuberance shines from the New Jersey coach's face these days like a lantern. Jason Kidd is in the fold for $103 million over the next six years, and so is Alonzo Mourning, for just a shade ($5 million) over the mid-level exception next season.

The Nets are now four deep at the center position, if you assume that Dikembe Mutombo will remain part of the picture with the $17.9 million - third highest in the league - he will earn next season.

Now comes talk that the Nets, known to be searching for another shooter, may actually be pondering a run at free agent Reggie Miller.

This is escalation on the NBA's highest scale, and Scott gets to coach the result.

But he is also about to enter the tender area of the center's rare kidney condition.

Banking on Mourning's availability ultimately reduced Pat Riley's hopes in Miami to ineffectual rubble.