Miami Heat has contacted Iverson and Artest

Miami Heat has contacted Iverson and Artest, insiders say
Heat president Pat Riley has contacted veterans Allen Iverson and Ron Artest for exploratory discussions after saying he didn't plan any major moves this summer.

Amid a cost-conscious approach to improving the roster this summer, the Miami Heat's attempts to upgrade through free agency apparently aren't being discounted.

Allen Iverson and Ron Artest are among a group of free agents who have been contacted by Heat president Pat Riley in the opening days of free-agency negotiations, league sources said Thursday.

Although the discussions are said to be exploratory, it signals a far more aggressive approach to free agency by the Heat than the team suggested in recent weeks.

Riley entered the start of the free agency negotiating period Wednesday saying he would be reluctant to spend the $5.5 million mid-level exception because the Heat already was past the league's anticipated dollar-for-dollar luxury tax on excessive payrolls.

Riley also had been unwilling to add contracts that extend beyond next summer, when the Heat will have spending flexibility to re-sign Dwyane Wade and another top-tier free agent to maximum contracts.

The team's stance had been that a significant roster overhaul would only take place this summer if there were an earlier commitment from Wade, who is eligible to sign a three-year contract extension July 12.

But the Heat appears to be covering both bases. Miami is taking the due diligence approach of lining up potential bargain options now if Wade doesn't extend his contract, while also keeping tabs on potential blockbuster trades in the event Wade does extend.

PROVEN OFFENSIVE THREAT

Iverson, a former league MVP who has averaged 27.1 points over 13 seasons, might be willing to accept an offer of one or two seasons in what is expected to be a tight market. He turned 34 last month and is coming off a rocky season in Detroit that ended with complaints about his role. He left the team before the playoffs to treat a back injury.

Although discussions with agent Leon Rose are believed to be in the initial stages, the Heat likely would be interested only if Iverson is willing to accept less than the full mid-level amount. Miami could also offer the $2 million veteran's exception.

Iverson has maintained a low profile since he left the Pistons. But he could address his future by next week in advance of his annual kids camp in Virginia.

A TOUGHER SELL

A much larger transaction would be required to land Artest, who is coming off a productive season in which he helped lead Houston to the second round of the playoffs, where it pushed the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers to seven games.

But injury concerns with center Yao Ming, who might miss all of next season with a foot injury, could force the Rockets into a rebuilding stage. That could make Artest, a free agent, available in sign-and-trade offers.

Agent David Bauman said Thursday that Artest wouldn't be interested in a one-year deal from the Heat or any suitor, which might also include Houston.

''We've talked to a handful of teams, and there's some mutual interest,'' Bauman said Thursday. ``But it would be inappropriate for me to mention everyone we're looking at.''

Artest, 29, has averaged 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals in 10 seasons. He is considered one of the NBA's best two-way players at small forward because of his rugged, lock-down perimeter defense.

The Heat has long had interest in both Iverson and Artest. Miami was among the teams that inquired about Iverson when he was traded from Philadelphia to Denver three years ago, and from the Nuggets to Detroit at the start of last season.

Artest has been a Heat target at least since his time in Sacramento, where he spent three seasons before he was traded to the Rockets last year.

Whereas Artest appears to have numerous suitors, including Cleveland, Houston and Orlando, Iverson's options are reportedly more limited. Charlotte, coached by Larry Brown, has been the only other team mentioned in connection with Iverson. Brown coached Iverson in Philadelphia, where the two led the Sixers to the 2001 NBA Finals.

PERIMETER SHOOTING WANTED

The Heat would like to get more perimeter scoring around Wade, who had the best statistical season of his career last season. He led the league in scoring at 30.2 points per game and was third in MVP voting.

But Miami was eliminated by Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs after Wade didn't get enough help from a roster that relied heavily on young players Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers and Daequan Cook.

Immediately after the season, Riley talked about addressing the team's lack of offensive punch in the playoffs. But he also cautioned that improvements might have to come from within because of the team's luxury-tax situation and desire to ''protect our [salary] room'' for 2010. Source: The Miami Herald