It isn’t necessarily a bad thing to get bought out by the New Jersey Nets. You can look at it one of it one of two ways. You can get down on yourself for getting essentially cut by the worst team in the NBA or you can embrace the chance to join a new team.
Rafer “Skip to my Lou” Alton has embraced his buy out from the Nets. After going to New Jersey in the Vince Carter trade, Alston had a stretch in which he started in place of Devin Harris who was out with an injury. But since then, Alston has rarely seen the court.
According to Yahoo!’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Alston and the Nets agreed to the buyout today. Wojnarowski also reports that Alston is likely going to sign with the Miami Heat once Rafer clears waivers.
In order for the Heat to keep their payroll flexible, they will be trading third string point guard Chris Quinn and a 2012 conditional second round pick for a $1.3 million trade exception and a 2010 second round pick.
Alston could start for the Heat if he indeed signs with them because of the poor play of sophomore Mario Chalmers this season. Chalmers was recently demoted in favor of veteran Carlos Arroyo. However, there are whispers that the Heat are looking to cut Arroyo, making Alston and Chalmers their main two point guards.
Even at 33-years old, Alston has value. As we all saw last post-season, Alston is still a street baller with his handles and can occasionally get hot from deep and win you a basketball game all alone. Of course, he won’t have to do that with Dwyane Wade on his side, but his ability to handle the ball will reduce the load on Wade and keep him fresher for the playoffs.
