Alonzo Mourning still wants out of New Jersey so he can land on a contending team, but the question remains how much is he willing to sacrafice in order to get his wish?

The New York Daily News reports that Mourning has been pushing for a buyout from the Nets in order to move on, but president Rod Thorn made it clear yesterday that he will not bend to Mourning's desire for a buyout unless it makes sense for the team.

"We're not going to do it," said Thorn, who almost appeared annoyed with the situation. "That would not be in the team's best interest whatsoever."

The Nets may want Mourning to sacrifice something in the range of $10 million or more of the $17-plus million he is owed in the final three years of his deal, while Mourning is after a similar deal to the one the Nets struck with Dikembe Mutombo last year ($27 million of the $37 million he was owed).

"(The Nets want) a whole lot," Mourning said. "(Agreeing to their terms) has crossed my mind, but that is why I have advisers advising me to do the right things. So with that said, no, I won't be agreeing to give up those type of numbers that they want me to give up."

Mourning maintains that he signed with the Nets with the understanding that the team would be a contender for years to come, but after trading starters Kenyon Martin and Kerry Kittles over the offseason this is no longer the case.  While Mourning says he is grateful that the Nets offered him a four year deal last season when many other teams were scared off by his kidney condition (Mourning only managed 12 games last season), Thorn isn't so sure.  Mourning and point guard Jason Kidd were both critical in comments made in the media about management over the summer in light of the team's personnel moves.

"There was nothing ever said on our part about (Mourning) playing only 12 games," said Thorn, who handed Mourning a $25,000 check Wednesday night to Mourning for Zo's Fund for Life, which benefits kidney research. "His kidney gave out and he couldn't do it. This organization has treated him like gold. We supported him. We went above and beyond what I think most organizations would do for any player."