HEAT Announce Malik Allen and Wang Zhi-Zhi Moves

Allen, a 6’10”, 250-pound forward, appeared in 45 games last season for the HEAT and made six starts. He averaged 4.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 13.7 minutes. The three-year veteran ranked second on the team in blocks per game (0.62 bpg). Allen also appeared in 10 playoff contests for Miami last season and averaged 5.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, a team-high 0.9 blocks and 13.8 minutes. Allen originally signed with the HEAT as a free agent on July 20, 2001. He has started 81 of the 137 games he has played with Miami during his three-year career, averaging 7.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.83 blocks and 22.6 minutes.

Zhi-Zhi, a 7’1”, 284-pound center, appeared in 16 games last season with the HEAT and Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 2.9 points, 1.1 rebounds and 7.1 minutes. Zhi-Zhi signed with the HEAT as a free agent on December 1, 2003 after being released by the Clippers on November 21, 2003. For his career he has appeared in 117 games with the Dallas Mavericks, L.A. Clippers and Miami HEAT and has made one start. He owns career averages of 4.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 9.9 minutes.

Butler, a 6’7”, 205-pound forward, saw action in 45 games last season and averaged 6.8 points, 1.4 rebounds and 15.0 minutes. The second-year pro topped the HEAT in three-point field goal percentage, connecting on 46.3 percent of his attempts behind the arc. His 46.3 percent three-point accuracy is the second highest single-season total in franchise history. Butler finished fourth on the HEAT last season in three-point field goals made (50). Additionally, he appeared in 10 postseason contests for the HEAT in 2004 and averaged 2.1 points, 1.1 rebounds and 5.8 minutes. Originally drafted by the HEAT in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2002 NBA Draft, Butler has started 28 of the 117 games in which he has seen action for Miami. For his career he has averaged 7.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 18.7 minutes.