Heart ailment to force Mobley to retire - report

New York Knicks guard Cuttino Mobley is expected to retire from the National Basketball Association because of a heart condition, according to 1050 ESPN Radio report.

The Knicks declined to confirm the report, but scheduled a press conference with the 11-year-NBA veteran for Thursday.

"He'll make the announcement," New York general manager Donnie Walsh told the New York radio station.

The Knicks acquired Mobley and forward Tim Thomas from the Los Angeles Clippers for forward Zach Randolph.

The report said that Walsh knew that Mobley had a heart problem and would need more tests when he made the deal. But he wanted the chance to ship out Randolph and his looming 17.3 million-dollar 2010 salary.

According to the report, Mobley has been tested for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a disorder that took the lives of former NBA player Reggie Lewis and college hoops star Hank Gathers.

Mobley has averaged 16 points a game in his 747-game career.