No deal for Miami Heat at NBA trading deadline

By Ira Winderman | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

MIAMI - The Miami Heat made its move last Friday. It spent today's NBA trading deadline more concerned with making its pieces fit.

Six days after acquiring center Jermaine O'Neal and forward Jamario Moon from the Toronto Raptors, the Heat spent today's deadline as a spectator, without making a move.

"We think it's enough," coach Erik Spoelstra said after practice at AmericanAirlines Arena of a roster that was revamped last week, at the cost of forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks. "We have a lot of flexibility with guys who can play multiple positions."

Thursday, though, Spoelstra's flexibility was limited.

Guard Dwyane Wade arrived prepared for practice, but then was sent home with the flu once he began vomiting. Forward James Jones missed the session to have his right hand examined, after it was bruised in the third quarter of Wednesday's loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. As soon as practice was over, O'Neal left without comment to have his right eye examined, after taking an elbow from Mike Miller in the loss to the Timberwolves.

The Heat's next game is Saturday against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers.

Heat President Pat Riley said in the days leading to the deadline that he would attempt to add an additional point guard to replace Banks.

Spoelstra, however, said he is comfortable with the tandem of starter Mario Chalmers and backup Chris Quinn at point guard, with Wade also taking minutes at the position.

"If you're looking to get something off the waiver wire now, at the 11th hour, I don't know if you're going to get somebody that's going to replace either one of our guys there," Spoelstra said.

That doesn't mean the Heat is necessarily finished at point guard. Players waived by March 1 remain eligible for another team's playoff roster. Among those who could become available at point guard are Stephon Marbury, Sam Cassell, Jamaal Tinsley and even former Heat guard Jason Williams. Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel