Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade unclear about future

Dwyane Wade isn't sold on a South Florida future yet, and with less than a week remaining before he is eligible to sign an extension, the Miami Heat guard appreciates the anxiety that is creating.

"It's going to be a touchy time," Wade acknowledged Monday.

So touchy, that even as he promotes his charitable work during the week's worth of events that culminate with Sunday's Summer Groove all-star game at AmericanAirlines Arena, the subject continually returns to whether he will extend this summer or become a free agent next July.

"This is where I want to be," he said during a radio interview on WQAM. "But I'm a winner and I want to make sure the future of me and of where I play, we're going to win."

While last season's NBA scoring leader cannot sign an extension until Sunday, which is the three-year anniversary of his previous extension, the negotiating window already is open, and has been for a while. Wade, however, did not make it sound as if substantive talks are under way with Heat President Pat Riley.

"I have to look at it from a business decision and see what's best for myself and see what's best for the future," he said. "We're talking. I'm sure Coach Riley will call us one minute after the time he can and we'll go from there."

Making the media rounds the past few days, Wade, on 790-The Ticket, addressed personnel gains made by the Heat's Eastern Conference competitors, such as the Orlando Magic adding Vince Carter and the Toronto Raptors adding Hedo Turkoglu.

"Well there is a lot going on and there are a lot of teams that are shaking a lot of things up, and these are teams that feel that they need to do it now," he said. "Some teams feel that they need to win championships now, and you have to respect what they're doing."

Wade indicated he has not pushed Riley to make moves.

"He just said what he wanted and I said what I wanted," Wade said. "And you can respect that from both sides. I want to win, and he wants to win. And he wants me to be here to win."

Wade said he retains faith that Riley will position him for success.

"One thing I've come to realize is that Miami can never count out Pat Riley," he said. "You never know what he can cook up in the lab. So we're going to be patient and I'm not going to worry about it. I'm going to let him do his job."

Wade, though, did acknowledge that it has been difficult being on a team that so far has been a free-agency bystander.

"I'm patient at certain times," he said, "and at certain times I'm not."

For Wade, victory in the personnel game can come either by recruiting players this summer, or by convincing them to wait until the 2010 offseason, when the Heat has the salary-cap space to commit to both Wade and an overhaul.

"I understand that Coach Riley does have a hard job," he said. "But I have job, as well, to go out there and try to sell people to come down here and maybe take a little less or wait." Source: SunSentinel.com

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Allen Iverson a later-rather-than-now issue for Heat

To a degree, an Allen Iverson-Heat marriage makes sense. For years, Pat Riley has run a last-chance saloon.

But it's not going to happen the first week of free-agent negotiations. It's not going to happen at the July 8 start of the free-agent signing period. And it's not going to happen until after the July 12 window opens for Dwyane Wade to be eligible to sign an extension.

Allen Iverson Iverson makes sense because Iverson may not have many other options. But until the Knicks spend their mid-level exception, until Larry Brown gets an official rejection from Bobcats management, and until the remaining precious little cap space around the league is spent, Iverson doesn't have to move to Plan B.

With the Heat already into the dollar-for-dollar luxury tax, anything paid to Iverson will be doubled on the books next season. So even with a $2 million contract, is he worth $4 million at this stage?

Then there is the matter of the Heat being guided by a coach entering his second year. Has Erik Spoelstra done anything to deserve this?

With the Heat, an Iverson contract would be for one year. Is that what Iverson wants or needs at this stage? And is that what you want to add alongside the impressionable youth of Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers and Daequan Cook?

Oh, Iverson could help. But as a reserve. Finding backcourt offense with Wade on the bench has been an ongoing concern. Yet this is the same Iverson who said coming off the bench was intolerable last season in Detroit. Considering how much Wade wants and needs the ball in his hands, an Iverson-Wade backcourt could involve plenty of drama.

So why are we talking about Iverson? Because, as a league source said, there aren't many options out there for Iverson.

Yes, he might come cheap. But perhaps that says plenty about where Iverson stands at this point in his career. Source: SunSentinel.com

Artest To Lakers? Iverson To Grizzlies? No Luck For Heat?

Ron Artest has told Ken Berger of CBSSports.com that he will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I'm definitely going to L.A. -- to sign, yeah," Artest said in a phone interview. "Lakers, Lakers, Lakers. I'm in L.A. right now."

Artest said he met with Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss Thursday and previously had spoken with Lakers coach Phil Jackson. He was en route to his financial manager's office, where he planned to huddle on the phone with his agent, David Bauman, to finalize details.

The parameters of the deal still need to be agreed upon, however.

"I don't really care about the money," Artest said. "I'll play there for nothing. ... L.A. was very interested in me, and they got me." Source: Source: CBSSports.com



Iverson Interested In Joining Grizzlies

Allen Iverson has made it known through his representatives that he is interested in signing with the Memphis Grizzlies, according to multiple sources.

The Grizzlies front office is said to be internally weighing the pros and cons of possibly adding Iverson to the team's youth movement. Source: Commercial Appeal

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

Is Riles burning up the 602 area code?

Stoudemire is just the kind of low-post terror that could convince a fella with options -- say, an all-world guard who was born and raised in Chicago, which will be a major player in 2010, and who will himself be a free agent in 2010 -- to stay on South Beach. A package of Michael Beasley -- whom Miami's management does not, to put it charitably, seem enamored with -- Mark Blount ($7.9 million expiring deal) and James Jones (partial guarantees in each of his three remaining seasons after this upcoming one, which would seem to be music to Suns owner Robert Sarver's ears), could get Stoudemire to Miami in time for happy hour at The Clevelander. Plus, Phoenix would get him out of the Western Conference instead of having him dunk on its collective bean in Warriors gear three or four times a year. Source: NBA.com

Did the Heat offer Beasley for No. 2?

In the wake of the NBA Draft, you start to hear rumors about what teams supposedly were attempting to do. Such after-the-fact stuff generally has little shelf life, either because the speculation is inaccurate or, by that point, meaningless.

And yet, it was not easy to simply dismiss a report in Saturday's Memphis Commercial Appeal that said the Heat, on draft night, offered Michael Beasley for the No. 2 overall selection. We generally tend to believe reports connected, even if somewhat obtusely, to Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace (pictured below), the former Heat personnel executive.

Chris Wallace But, just to make sure, we took time to get the opposing view. And here's the latest: The Heat on Saturday said it was the Grizzlies that contacted it and tried to trade the No. 2 pick for Michael Beasley, not the other way around. A Heat spokesman confirmed that it was the Grizzlies who made the overtures.

In addition, that same report in the Commercial Appeal said that the Heat offered starting point guard Mario Chalmers for the No. 27 pick. Again, a Heat spokesman quickly corrected that it was Memphis that attempted to peddle No. 27 pick for Chalmers.

That part of the corrected equation makes plenty of sense. Chalmers, according to numerous insiders, has been the star of the Heat's offseason workouts.

Still, what we know now is that the Grizzlies have interest in Beasley, that there, indeed, is a market for the forward. What we've always known is the pervading sense that Heat President Pat Riley has never been totally comfortable with Beasley, seemingly cornered into selecting him at No. 2 in 2008. Recall, in advance of that selection last June, all the posturing when it came to O.J. Mayo and even Brook Lopez. And, make no mistake, the choice would have been Derrick Rose if the point guard had not gone at No. 1 to the Bulls.

The fallout? Apparently Riley can have No. 2 pick Hasheem Thabeet for Beasley. Riley, in a conversation a week ago, did stress how he was, is and will remain a center guy. Remember, Riley's first rebuilding project with the Heat came behind the shot blocking and rebounding of Alonzo Mourning.

Beasley for Thabeet? Nah, wouldn't do it. Somehow, it's nice to have players who also can score the ball.

And so goes another day of NBA rumors and surprisingly swift Heat reaction. Source: Sun-Sentinel.com

Shaq Trade: How it helps Cavs - and motivates Heat

What's Shaq now, The Big Mistake By The Lake?

Funny, the guy who once couldn't wait to leave Orlando for a big market has now barked his way to Cleveland.

Still, Cleveland's completed trade for Shaq on Wednesday night is a good, final attempt to bring a title next year and keep LeBron James around after it. Shaq, at 37, isn't what he was in winning a title with the Heat three years ago with three years ago, when he wasn't the player he was with the Lakers.

But he still occupies space, still puts up decent numbers (17.8 points, 8.4 rebounds last year) and still will be a good counterbalance to James.

Most important: He'll be on his mock-good behavior, unlike at the end with the Heat (and Lakers and Suns and Magic). It'll be interesting to see if the national image of O'Neal starts to sink as he trashes (as he will) another franchise he left or his championship rings and good sense of humor will again carry him through.

Two parsels of good news for the Heat in this:

1. This is a short-term solution, not a long-term one, for James. If it works for a year, that's all Cleveland can hope. So it's not like the Cavs went out and got Chris Bosh to set up a run for years.

2. It begs the Heat to make a move to answer. Pat Riley was surely going to do something to shake up the roster this off-season. But having a turncoat like Shaq back in the East demands it. He won't burn a year to watch Shaq make a run at a title

Question is: What's the best move now?

Source: SunSentinel.com

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."

Bosh Interested in Miami

The Heat's interest in Chris Bosh apparently is mutual. A friend of the Toronto power forward said Bosh has interest in playing for Miami, which would love to add him via trade this summer or free agency in 2010.

Bosh assuredly will dismiss any report linking him to another team because he doesn't want to upset the Raptors and doesn't need to decide his future for 13 months. But the friend said playing in Miami appeals to him.

With Bosh announcing he will test free agency in 2010, a competing executive who spoke to Raptors president Bryan Colangelo said Toronto appears open to considering offers for Bosh and likely would consider a package that includes Michael Beasley -- if the Heat overcomes reluctance to trade Beasley.

There are good reasons not to trade Beasley. For starters, Miami has a good chance to lure Bosh in 2010 free agency. And with the salary cap expected to drop in 2010, the Heat -- if it can sign Bosh and Dwyane Wade next summer -- would not have money left to sign a third player as skilled as Beasley. The risk is that if Bosh is traded to a team other than Miami, there's a chance he might want to stay there long-term.

The 2010 maximum-contract caliber free agents (Wade, LeBron James, Bosh, Amare Stoudemire) can make about $30 million more in their next contract by re-signing with their teams. So Bosh could ask for a sign-and-trade next summer. For now, it's hard to envision Toronto accepting a Heat offer that does not include Beasley, though there are packages involving Udonis Haslem that would fit salary-cap rules.

• A friend of Wade's said he indicated privately that he wants to stay with Miami long-term. But is Wade impatient for the team to be built into a championship contender, even though it might not happen until 2010?

''I'm a Heat player under contract,'' Wade said this offseason, adding there's no choice ''but to be patient. I know everyone wants to fast-track this team, and that's what makes me excited about the future. We're taking the right steps.'' Wade has said he will not sign with New York because of the weather. Source: The Miami Herald