What the Heat likely will get in return is nothing more than a credit on its accounting ledger.

A significant credit -- one that could open the door for a return by Alonzo Mourning.

Having already decided to unload Livingston's contract at Wednesday's NBA guarantee deadline in order to get below the dollar-for-dollar luxury tax on excessive payrolls, the Heat called in a favor with Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace, its former scouting director.

In the quasi-trade with the Grizzlies, the Heat received a conditional 2012 second-round pick from Memphis.

The conditions on that pick? It is protected through the first 55 selections that year. The Heat only gets it if it is No. 56, No. 57, No. 58, No. 59 or No. 60.

In other words, unless Memphis finishes with one of the five best records in 2011-12, the Heat would otherwise get nothing.

The pick does not revert to another year if it is not No. 56 through No. 60 in 2012.

But by finding a way to classify Livingston's release as a trade, there are benefits for the Heat, benefits possibly tied to a return by Mourning.

By forcing Livingston to head to Memphis, the Heat moved about $400,000 below the luxury tax, opening the door to add another player without a tax penalty. The move also gave the Heat an $850,000 salary-cap exception it can use in a trade for a player for one calendar year.

Mourning currently is rehabilitating from last December's massive knee injury. Based on a pro-rated salary at the veteran's minimum, he would be able to slot into the space under the tax created with Wednesday's move.

By stepping in and making a trade, the Grizzlies received cash considerations.

Unlike the Heat, the Grizzlies are operating well below the luxury tax, and therefore had the tax space to facilitate the move without penalty.

Livingston was informed after Monday night's home loss to the San Antonio Spurs that he no longer would be with the team.

By being released by the Grizzlies instead of the Heat, he retains the right to sign with the team of his choice.

The only change from the original plan is the Grizzlies released Livingston instead of the Heat.

Livingston appeared in four games for the Heat after signing as a free agent in the offseason, averaging 2.3 points in an average of 10.3 minutes. The 6-foot-7 No. 4 pick in the 2004 draft had not played since early December.

With the passing of the guarantee deadline, center Jamaal Magloire saw his contract become guaranteed for the season. The other 13 players on the roster previously had their contracts guaranteed.

Ira Winderman can be reached at iwinderman@SunSentinel.com

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