Pat Riley: Miami Heat's immediate future rests on Dwyane Wade's decision

Source: SunSentinel.com

MIAMI - Miami Heat President Pat Riley said Thursday his team may still attempt to buy a first-round pick in next week's NBA Draft, but that any potential roster overhaul would not come until the team gets a sharper read on Dwyane Wade's future.

Wade is eligible to sign an extension starting July 12, or the team's star shooting guard otherwise could become a free agent on July 1, 2010.

"I'm going to do the best sales job I can do," Riley said. "When the time comes, we're going to make him an offer.

"What we do going forward is going to be predicated on that."

Riley said the Heat otherwise would wait until a year from now for any major overhaul, when it could have the salary-cap space to sign multiple star players.

"I don't know if I want to change this team that much," he said. "Keeping the team together might be the thing until we can make the move in '10."

As for moving up from the team's lone selections at Nos. 43 and 60 in the second round of next week's draft, Riley said, "On draft day, money talks. The possibility is there. It depends on who is on the board."

Teams may offer a maximum of $3 million in any NBA transaction.

Riley said teams mostly have been angling for future first-round picks in return for a first-round pick next week, but he said that is not a course he prefers.

"They want future picks," he said, "and I don't want to give up future picks. There may not be much activity in the draft for us."

The Heat's first-round pick is in the hands of the Timberwolves as a result of the 2007 acquisition of guard Ricky Davis.

"Was it a horrible trade?" Riley said. "Yes, it was a horrible trade."

While the draft is loaded with prospects at point guard, and while the Heat is lacking at that position, Riley said he might bypass the draft in favor free agency when it comes to support for 2008 second-round pick Mario Chalmers.

"You probably don't want to have another rookie," he said.

On other personnel moves, Riley said the Heat would extend qualifying offers to forward Jamario Moon and center Joel Anthony, allowing the team to match outside offers for the restricted free agents at the July 1 start of free agency.

Still, with the team within $300,000 of the dollar-for-dollar luxury tax on excessive payrolls, Riley said the Heat might be limited to carrying only 13 players next season, as opposed to the maximum of 15.

He said unless the Wade extension is resolved, the team also would not offer free-agent contracts that extend beyond the end of next season.

Riley also downplayed forward Michael Beasley preferring to play at a weight lighter than typical power forwards.

"He is a three-four," Riley said, offering comparisons to the Orlando Magic's Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu. "Michael has the same skills."

As for his own status, Riley brushed aside recent reports linking him to coaching opportunities elsewhere.

"No, I'm not interested in coaching again," he said. "I really think it'd be too much to pick up and move. I've had enough."