BY MICHAEL WALLACE
mwallace@MiamiHerald.com
With the front end of its rotation around Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh set, the Heat is prepared to maintain flexibility with its remaining roster spots.
Barring a commitment from one of its preferred free agent targets to accept the veteran's minimum, team president Pat Riley and coach Erik Spoelstra could leave open as many as two roster spots entering the start of training camp in late September.
``There are always key pieces out there you can add at the end of your roster,'' Spoelstra said. ``We've always felt if we could get the main pieces, other guys would want to sacrifice and play with us. There's always an opportunity, even if sometimes it doesn't seem like one.''
Considering its sign-a-player-a-day pace during the past two weeks, Tuesday was a rare occasion when the Heat didn't make a roster move. Things could pick back up in the coming days, when free agent Carlos Arroyo is expected to be brought back to bolster depth at point guard.
The addition of Arroyo, who turned a nonguaranteed contract last season into a starting role down the stretch, would bring the Heat's roster to 13 -- two shy of the regular-season limit.
The Heat has maintained contact with a few remaining free agents, but is content to keep its options open. Among the more intriguing players angling for jobs -- and potentially in the mix for one of the Heat's final spots -- are veterans Tracy McGrady, Larry Hughes, Allen Iverson, Eddie House, Jason Williams, Kwame Brown and Rasual Butler.
Wade and James have essentially acted as pseudo general managers in reaching out and recruiting players to join the Heat. Their connections could keep in play options such as Iverson, who shares an agent with James, or Hughes, who played with James in Cleveland.
Wade and new Heat swingman Mike Miller have been among those to lobby Williams, who started on Miami's 2006 title team and has indicated a willingness to take on a reduced role should there be a return.
OTHER OPTIONS
But Heat interest in those veterans appears to be lukewarm at best, according to agents and league officials who have dealt with Miami.
Riley, however, has maintained an interest in House, a former Heat sharpshooter, and Brown, the journeyman center who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft.
Chicago-based agent Mark Bartelstein, who represents House and Brown, said Wednesday the Heat remains on their radar. But both players are looking for more than the $1.3 million Miami has available through the veterans' minimum contract offer.
House earned $2.9 million last season, which he spent with Boston and New York. Brown made $4.1 million last season with Detroit.
``Both guys have been offered more than what the Heat has available,'' Bartelstein said. ``But because of the unique opportunity in Miami, with what they've done with the roster, it's not something you can just dismiss and not think about.''
But with chemistry and ``good fits'' among the priorities in the selection criteria, it's possible the Heat could bypass the aging ex-superstar route to opt for younger prospects.
SERVING YOUTH
That could bode well for a handful of prospects from the Heat's summer league team that finished 4-1 in Las Vegas last week. Combination guard Kenny Hasbrouck averaged 13.6 points and shot 45 percent from three-point range. Second-round pick Jarvis Varnado led the team in blocked shots and offensive rebounds.
Spoelstra said a handful of players from the summer league team would be invited back to Miami next week for another offseason mini-camp.
``All you can do is keep working hard and give yourself a chance for them to like you,'' said Hasbrouck, who was with Miami late last season. ``You want to be a part of this. I know I do. Hopefully, I will be.''
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Miami Heat will wait for the right fit
Friday, July 16, 2010
Miami Heat's Wade still surprised by team's free-agent plunder
BY BARRY JACKSON
bjackson@MiamiHerald.com
Even a week later, Dwyane Wade still finds this somewhat difficult to fathom.
"It just feels surreal to everybody," Wade said Wednesday, still digesting this fantasy-turned-reality of LeBron James and Chris Bosh joining him on the Heat.
"I hit up LeBron [on Tuesday] night and I told him I'm looking at ESPN and I see his name scroll on the bottom and it says 'Miami Heat forward LeBron James.'
"I just said, 'Man, it's crazy.' And he said, 'Yeah, I just saw the same thing.' "
Behind his cool countenance, Wade feels every bit as exhilarated as the most fanatical of Heat fans. And he's intoxicated by the possibilities of what this threesome can achieve.
"It's beyond exciting," he said. "I don't think we even really know how excited we're going to be."
When Wade walked down an AmericanAirlines Arena hallway last Friday, about to be soaked in the adulation of 13,000 screaming Heat fans, his eyes started darting.
"I was looking to my left and to my right, and it took me back to the All-Star Game," he said. "I was like, 'This is not real.' We were laughing. It was like, 'We can't believe we're playing together.' Just like every one else can't.
"Players from other teams are probably still like us. They're probably asking, 'How did that happen? How did those guys check their egos and get together?' People believe that athletes have these huge egos, and we all have egos, yes, but not bigger than winning.
"This was the best thing for all of us to do. It shows a lot of the three guys to want to get together in the prime of their careers and say, 'Let's do something amazing for years to come.'"
Much has been made of how Wade, James and Bosh accepted less money than the maximum permitted - a notion that once seemed unfathomable for players of their caliber. Because James and Bosh were involved in sign-and-trades, each was eligible to receive $125 million over six seasons. So was Wade.
Instead, James and Bosh accepted $110 million, and Wade took $107 million, over six years. Combined, they left $48‚million on the table.
Part of the money that Wade sacrificed was used to create salary-cap room to re-sign his close friend, Udonis Haslem.
"People are saying, 'Well, you're making millions of dollars. How can you say that's a sacrifice?' Well, that's your millions of dollars to sacrifice," Wade said.
"This whole team is built on sacrifice. Myself, LeBron and Chris led the way. And everyone who is going to come and be a part of it is going to have to sacrifice. That is going to be our motto this season."
Here's all you need to know about Wade's selflessness: He didn't think twice about giving up some of his money to keep Haslem. And he has no problem pocketing a smaller paycheck than James and Bosh will get.
"Once we got down to crunching the numbers, we needed extra money [for Haslem]," Wade said. "[I said], 'It doesn't matter. Take it from me. It's not about the dollars. I want Udonis here. We want Udonis here. Udonis wants to be here. Let's get it done.' "
Wade made a few interesting points this week as he reflected on the free agent whirlwind.
For starters, he said he didn't need to do a sales job on James and Bosh to join him in Miami.
"I didn't have to sell them on it," he said. "I've known LeBron and Chris since we all came into the NBA together. They understand me. They know how highly I think of the Heat organization and everybody knows about the city of Miami."
He also disputed the notion that he and James have been planning this, plotting this, for years.
"Everybody wants to speculate this has been something that has been going on for seven years," he said. "It's funny to read that. None of that is true. It wasn't LeBron and I saying four years ago that we're going to play together. You cannot do that."
And he made clear he wanted two great players to join him, not just one.
"There are a lot of misconceptions on how much talent it takes to win a championship," he said. "It takes at least two but it really takes three to be a dynasty. That's what we want to be."
Because of the players' willingness to sacrifice money, Wade has been taken aback by the criticism nationally - mostly directly at James.
"Chris Bosh said it best: A lot of people don't like it, but we do," Wade said. "You show me one person or one team who wouldn't have done this, and I'll show you a liar."
In a sense, the Heat has become the basketball version of the Yankees, a star-laden team loved by some, loathed by others.
Does Wade like that comparison?
"Any comparisons, if it's good comparisons or if it's bad comparisons, it's not going to change us at all," he said. "It's not going to win you games and it's not going to lose you games.
"It's all fun. It sells papers. It starts off well on ESPN. It has given the National Basketball Association the publicity it needs in our down time."
One reporter suggested this team will be an NBA version of the Beatles.
Wade smiled.
"Chris Bosh's mind was racing," Wade said. "I was like, 'You know what, C.B.? None of us have seen anything like this before, even though LeBron has his own shining star and I have mine. This is all new to all of us and we just have to deal with it the best we can."
But let's be clear about this: "We're here to win a championship," Wade said. "We're not here to sell jerseys. We're not here to pump up ratings."
Wade welcomes expectations, but has been careful to say that the two-time defending champion Lakers "are the team everyone should be shooting for."
Said Wade: "[Charlotte guard] Stephen Jackson said it best: They're not going to run from us. We don't want anybody to run from us. It's not going to be easy. [But] I don't feel pressure yet. It's still basketball. We are going to have fun. We're still young men. We can't put the pressure on ourselves like we're going to run the country. We're not Barack Obama."
Wade then ponders this question: How will James and Bosh make him even better?
"When you play with players that are just as talented as you are, it makes your job a lot easier," he said. "It makes the game easier. No double teams. No triple teams. You're not worried about just me. You're worried about other guys as well.
"I think the biggest thing that's going to change is our defense. LeBron every year competes for Defensive Player of the Year. Even though I've been snubbed twice on All-Defensive first team, I've been a pretty good defender. And Chris is an underrated defender."
Wade can't wait to get started.
"Right now, it's surreal," he said. "Every day that goes by, we get more and more to understand this thing has really happened."
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Haslem stays with Heat; Miller joins in
ESPN.com news services
Udonis Haslem is staying with the Miami Heat and Mike Miller is joining him.
Haslem signed a five-year deal Monday worth around $20 million, roughly $14 million less than he could have received if he accepted more lucrative offers from the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets.
"This is a combination of having a great opportunity to win, which is why we play this game, and an opportunity to still stay close to my family and be with my mother," said Haslem, whose mother has been ill for some time. "And also, the opportunity to be a part of something special. We all play this game to win. I've never been a person driven by money."
Miller's agent, Arn Tellem, confirmed the sharpshooter's intention to sign a five-year free-agent contract with the Heat on his blog Monday.
Shortly after ESPN.com reported Monday that the Nuggets had joined the Mavericks in the bidding with a strong offer, Haslem sent an e-mail to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reading: "Turned down full mid level from Dallas and Denver. See u next season."
The Nuggets, after being foiled in their pursuit of Jermaine O'Neal, extended a multiyear offer to Haslem starting at the $5.8 million mid-level exception, just as the Mavericks did earlier. The New Jersey Nets were also interested in Haslem.
Denver had an even greater need than Dallas for Haslem. Two of the Nuggets' key big men, Kenyon Martin and Chris Andersen, recently underwent surgical procedures that will rule them out for the start of the season.
But every team that showed interest in Haslem in recent days did so with pessimism that he could be lured away from Miami, given his strong ties to the area and a close relationship with Dwyane Wade.
"UD is here to stay. Sacrifices all ard. I'm couldn't b happier for any1 more then Mr Miami himself. My brother 4 life," Wade wrote on his twitter feed.
A week ago, Haslem expected he would sign elsewhere, but then the combination of a $58 million salary cap ($2 million more than expected) and the decisions by Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh to take less money made it possible for the Miami High grad to stay where he wanted.
"Happy UD is staying put in Miami," James wrote on his Twitter feed. "Wouldn't have felt right if he wasn't a part of this."
Team president Pat Riley has often said that he wants Haslem to be a Heat lifer, such is the regard for the gritty forward's contributions to Miami's title team in 2006. Haslem, 30, earned $7.1 million last season and has averaged 10 points and 8.1 rebounds for his career.
"He is the epitome of what the Heat is about," Riley said. "He is our anchor, he is a true warrior and a great professional."
That's why Wade reached out to Haslem constantly during the free-agent process, if only to remind him that was the case.
"I would be changing my DNA if I left just for money," Haslem said.
Another factor for Haslem was Miller's decision to join the Heat -- something the team still hasn't formally announced. Miller and Haslem are extremely close friends, both former Florida Gators as well.
When Miller decided, Haslem knew he wouldn't play anywhere else.
"Nothing else for me to consider," Haslem said. "That's my boy from Day 1."
Tellem wrote on his blog Monday that Miller talked with four teams, not including the Heat, but that his future "hinged on LeBron's."
LeBron picked Miami, so Miller followed, and Tellem compared Miller to the Ringo Starr on this new Heat team of stars.
"Mike welcomes the chance to be the Ringo in a hot combo that already includes LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh," Tellem said.
Miller averaged 10.9 points a game on 50 percent shooting from the field, including 48 percent from beyond the 3-point arc with the Washington Wizards. He also contributed 3.9 assists a game in 54 games.
"Happy to have Sharpshooter and good friend Mike Miller join us!," James added on his Twitter feed.
Haslem's signing was announced about an hour before Miami's trade with Minnesota became official, in which the Heat sent Michael Beasley to the Timberwolves for a pair of second-round draft picks.
Beasley took over Haslem's job as the starting power forward last season, something Haslem went along with without complaining openly. Bosh will be the starter now, and Haslem doesn't mind that whatsoever.
"Coming off the bench behind a guy like Chris Bosh who has multiple -- what is the game they play in? -- All-Star game appearances, different things like that, I have no problem," Haslem said. "The hardest thing I had to deal with was just to give my job up."
With Bosh preferring to play power forward, and with the Heat not having an established center on the roster, that could mean the 6-foot-7 Haslem has to spend some time at the pivot this season.
If that's what coach Erik Spoelstra wants, so be it, Haslem said.
"We've already sacrificed," Haslem said. "Why stop sacrificing now? I'm committed to do what it takes to make this team successful."
He said he was watching Friday night's lavish introduction of James and Bosh, along with the re-introduction of sorts of Wade, with his son. Haslem was undrafted when he came to the Heat, was with the team through its first rebuilding phase, was a crucial factor in the 2006 championship run, then endured the indignity of the 15-win season in 2008.
Now this.
"I couldn't believe it," Haslem said. "It just didn't seem real. It seemed like something out of a video game or something like that."
Nope, it's real.
And knowing his role will be to help protect Miami's new Big 3, Haslem said he'll keep his trademark braids -- although he considered getting a haircut after turning 30 earlier this summer.
"With the bulls-eye that's going to be on these guys' backs, I'm going to need these braids this year," Haslem said.
Information from ESPN.com senior NBA writer Marc Stein and The Associated Press was used in this report.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Source: Bosh to join Wade, Heat
Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are teaming up together on the Miami Heat, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
ESPN's Shelley Smith also reported the pending move through independent sources.
Whether LeBron James, the kingpin of this summer's celebrated free agent class, will join them remains to be seen. James will announce his decision Thursday night at 9 ET during a one-hour special on ESPN.
Wade and Bosh are expected to announce their decision on Wednesday, according to the source.
Both players are expected to get the maximum amount allowable under the league's collective bargaining agreement, though the addition of James could change the players' salaries. Contracts cannot be officially signed until July 8.
It was not immediately clear whether Bosh will sign with Miami outright or join the Heat through a sign-and-trade deal. Bosh could earn $125 million over six years via sign-and-trade, but only $96 million over five without it.
"Either way, he's definitely going to Miami," the source said.
James or not, the Heat could emerge as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference with Wade and Bosh aboard. Wade, who led the Heat to the NBA title in 2006, is re-signing with the club, while Bosh will leave the Toronto Raptors after seven years with the club.
Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo, in a text message to The Associated Press on Wednesday morning, said "I have nothing official from anyone."
Chris Broussard is an NBA writer for ESPN The Magazine. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Wade meets Bulls again, Amare to meet Knicks in NY
By BRIAN MAHONEY
AP Basketball Writer
Dwyane Wade has said he wants to stay in Miami, but the Chicago Bulls are making him think about it.
Wade had a second meeting with the Bulls on Friday, perhaps a sign that his return to Miami isn't as guaranteed as once thought.
"Things are getting very interesting," Wade said after the 2 1/2-hour meeting, which he said he agreed to at the team's request.
Amare Stoudemire will be on the move, possibly to the New York Knicks. He's headed to New York for a meeting, and a deal might not be far behind if the team is willing to give him a maximum salary contract.
Paul Pierce agreed to stick around in Boston and the Mavericks let Dirk Nowitzki know how much they want him to remain in Dallas, but many of the leading names in this free agency class are still available.
Though the focus has been on LeBron James, Wade and Chris Bosh, Stoudemire might be able to land big bucks before them.
When the Suns gave long-term deals to Channing Frye and Hakim Warrick, it became clear that Stoudemire was on his way out of Phoenix. His agent, Happy Walters, confirmed that the Suns were no longer in the picture and said Stoudemire was going to New York this weekend to meet with the Knicks "but we're talking to other teams as well."
Walters said there is "a structure of an offer on the table" from the Knicks. He added no matter where Stoudemire signs, it will be for the maximum of five years and about $100 million.
The Knicks might be willing to spend that if they feel they'll fall short in pitches they made to James on Thursday, and Wade and Bosh on Friday.
James received visits Friday from the Heat and Los Angeles Clippers. The Heat have also spoken to Stoudemire and Bosh as they try to find a player or players to come join Wade - if he sticks around South Florida.
"This is a very fluid process," Heat president Pat Riley said. "We've had five meetings across the country in the span of 40 hours. We will continue with the process. It's still early in free agency, but we feel very good with how our presentations have gone thus far."
Wade has long said his preference was to stay in Miami, but he's given himself options. He met with the Bulls and New Jersey Nets on Thursday, then got a pitch from the Knicks on Friday.
"It was a good meeting, it was a real good meeting and I will say I'm intrigued," he said, declining further comment before driving away.
Then he sat down again with the Bulls, his hometown team which has been considered a favorite to land James. The league's MVP will meet with them Saturday.
The Celtics' four-year contract with Pierce was not announced, but it was confirmed to The Associated Press by a Boston official familiar with the deal who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the free agent signing period does not begin until Thursday.
"Both sides made it clear that staying together was best for the team," the official said.
Terms of the contract were not immediately available. The Boston Herald, which first reported on the deal, said Pierce would get $61 million over four years, with a mutual option for the fourth year.
Mavericks president Donnie Nelson said he made a "significant" contract offer to Nowitzki's adviser during a meeting Friday. Nowitzki could respond as soon as Saturday, when the sides are expected to meet again.
Warrick agreed to a four-year, $18 million deal with Phoenix on Friday, shortly after Frye agreed to a five-year, $30 million offer to re-sign with the Suns.
The Bucks made another move, agreeing in principle to a $40 million, five-year deal with free agent guard John Salmons, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. That came one day after Milwaukee agreed to a $32 million, five-year deal with forward Drew Gooden.
Also, point guard Steve Blake said he had a deal to join the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.
Deals can't be signed until July 8, after the salary cap for next season has been determined.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade answers some burning questions
In an exclusive interview with the Miami Herald, Dwyane Wade addressed free agency, Michael Beasley and his personal challenges this year.
BY MICHAEL WALLACE
mwallace@MiamiHerald.com
CHICAGO -- The time has come.
Seven years after he entered the NBA as the Miami Heat's biggest star, four seasons after he guided the franchise to its lone championship and two months after he wrapped up another agonizing season that fell well short of expectations, Dwyane Wade is on the open market.
With the biggest free agency market in NBA history set to open Thursday, Wade and the Heat are poised to be major players.
In an interview with The Miami Herald, Wade gave some of his most telling thoughts. He said of his impending free agency: ``A lot can go down between now and [July 8]. But it's funny how much you hear as far as speculation.''
Wade's next move is to meet with agent Henry Thomas on Wednesday and officially opt out of the final season of his Heat contract to become one of the more sought-after players in free agency.
Meanwhile, Heat president Pat Riley spent Tuesday clearing more salary-cap space to not only to re-sign Wade to a lucrative six-year contract, but also pursue the league's biggest star in Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and Toronto's perennial All-Star forward Chris Bosh to form the most dominant -- and expensive -- trio in the league.
If it all comes together, with free agents allowed to sign new contracts beginning July 8, the Heat would quickly return to championship contention.
But there's also the risk that James and Bosh will sign elsewhere. And worst of all, Wade could bolt Miami in what arguably would be the most devastating departure in South Florida sports history.
Wade, James and Bosh recently have discussed the possibility of playing together in Miami, but representatives for two of the players denied an ESPN report that claimed there was a free agent minisummit in Miami last weekend.
``Anything that says Dwyane was anywhere other than Chicago all weekend was incorrect,'' said Thomas, who represents Wade and Bosh and is affiliated with the firm that handles James. ``But that's what we're dealing with this time of the year with free agency.''
So where will Wade end up? He insists he doesn't know.
But on the verge of entering free agency for the first time in his career, Wade spoke with The Miami Herald for a wide-ranging interview as he prepared to make his decision.
Q: In the NBA, July 1, 2010, has been the most hyped day since Y2K. Now that we're here, has it set in for you yet?
A: In a way, it feels like it's not really real [laughs]. But in another way, you know that day is right around the corner. You're nervous. You're anxious. It's here now. So you just kind of sigh like, `Here we go. Let's get it started.'
Q: You recently settled multiple lawsuits over failed business ventures. You're in the middle of a bitter divorce and custody battle and you're about to enter free agency. How have you held yourself together emotionally?
A: It's going on close to three years now that I've been dealing with a lot of things -- on and off the court. On the court, not having as much success as I would like here the past few years. So to deal with that and also have to deal with the lawsuits and the divorce, that took up a lot of mental space and time. And to have my kids go through this, to see me go through this gets to you.
Q: What was the lowest point along the way?
A: I had a good year the other year [2008-09] and contended for MVP. We won the gold medal before that in the Olympics and then to get the All-Star MVP this season was all great. But to experience those things without having my sons with me, especially in Dallas for the All-Star Game, was probably tougher than anything. I thought they'd be along for the ride. If everything wasn't so public, you wouldn't know I was going through it because I didn't really show it. But it's been crazy. It's been a roller-coaster.
Q: You have been granted temporary custody of sons Zaire, 8, and Zion, 3. But they have been in Chicago, for the most part. Where do they want their father to go in free agency?
A: Sunday, Zaire had to go back to his mom. So before he went, we went out and played basketball, and people kept asking me, ``Are you coming to Chicago? Where are you going? Where are you going?'' I just looked at [Zaire] and said, ``Ask him.'' He smiled and shook his head, looked at them and said, ``Don't ask me.''
He hasn't really said he wants dad to play here or dad to play there. He's just happy to have dad in his life the way that he has me. I think that's all he's concerned with. He's coming to the games anyway.
Q: You have said all along that you want to stay in Miami and possibly bring superstar players here to play with you. There's talk about James. There's talk about Bosh. Why, then, is there a need to consider going elsewhere?
A: It's an ongoing process. Nothing is final. I haven't made a final decision yet; just trying to get away from everything for a minute. It's a lot of things happening right now. A lot can go down between now and [July 8]. Of course, I want to be in Miami.
But everything has to happen the right way. LeBron doesn't know what's going to happen. Chris doesn't know. I don't. But it's funny how much you hear as far as speculation. You're like, ``When did that happen?''
Q: You know you will send Heat fans into a frenzy if you visit New York or Chicago or anyplace else, right?
A: Well, that depends if they want to give me the benefit of the doubt. Of course, I've shown my loyalty to the Miami Heat and our fans. I've told them what I would like to see. But that doesn't mean that it's going to happen. You have to continue to do what I'm supposed to do and that is to educate myself on situations so that I can make the best decision possible. I have to make sure I've done my homework and continue to see what else is out there.
Q: The Heat is in a situation where trading Michael Beasley could free up the salary-cap space needed to add a third superstar who would make a maximum salary. Do you want him to stay in Miami?
A: Mike Beasley is my teammate. I really don't have too many teammates under contract right now. I'm only under contract for a little bit of time now. But I love playing with Michael. He's going to be good before it's over with. But we just don't know how good or great he's going to be and when it will be. I've grown to like Mike as a person. He's a great kid. If someone asks me about Michael, I'll say he's my teammate and I support him. There are going to be a lot of things said or that might come out. But I'm approaching this season as if Michael is my teammate because he is.
Q: Where will Dwyane Wade be when this free agency period is over?
A: I have no idea. The only thing I can control is getting as much information as I can. I'm going to school right now. I'm doing everything I can to make sure I understand this process. That's all I can do. I don't know what's going to come about. On July 8, we'llsee what happens. Until then, we can all sit back and read all the speculation.
Stoudemire, Boozer will meet with Miami Heat; Riley must convince LeBron, Bosh
BY BARRY JACKSON
bjackson@MiamiHerald.com
Mostly NBA chatter on the eve of free agency:
• Trying to cover his bases with the top free agents, Pat Riley has planned a meeting with Phoenix Suns free agent power forward Amare Stoudemire on Thursday in Los Angeles and also plans to meet with Utah Jazz free agent power forward Carlos Boozer.
But Riley's dream scenario is a Dwyane Wade/LeBron James/Chris Bosh troika. He will pitch that idea to the three players and not only needs to convince James to share the spotlight with Wade but also to erase Bosh's skepticism about the feasibility of Riley's three-superstar plan. When Riley meets with James this week in Akron, Ohio, and Bosh in the coming days, he must address questions about how much Miami can pay them (all three can get maximum salary if Michael Beasley is traded and Joel Anthony's qualifying offer is rescinded) and how their games will be affected by playing with two other big-time scorers.
``I don't see it happening,'' Bosh told us this past weekend of the idea of the three playing together on the Heat.
``I don't even know how it would work. It sounds pie in the sky. Riley is known as a guy who is like a mastermind-type genius. He's probably having a vision one day. But who knows? I don't see it happening.''
Despite Bosh's skepticism, the three-star alignment gained momentum the past few days, with Wade advocating the plan in talks with the other two stars. Riley, hopeful but uncertain he can pull it off, has interest in Stoudemire and Boozer if Bosh balks.
James and Wade have spoken to Boozer in recent days, and Wade made clear he would welcome playing with Boozer, who's a close friend. (That could happen only if Bosh -- Miami's prefered choice -- signs elsewhere.)
Bosh said Miami is in ``top contention'' for him and looked at houses in South Florida this past weekend, though nothing definitive should be drawn from that.
If James can be persuaded by Riley and Wade to sign with the Heat, it would not be surprising if they convince Bosh to join them. One obstacle would be if Toronto rejects the Heat's sign-and-trade efforts for Bosh, and Bosh accepts a sign-and-trade elsewhere, perhaps with strong suitors Houston and Chicago, to get a more lucrative contract.
• Stoudemire's camp believes he is Miami's number 2 power forward choice behind Bosh. But Boozer's camp was left with the impression that he is Miami's No. 2 power forward choice behind Bosh. Boozer, who would love to sign with Miami, will meet with the Heat, Knicks, Nets and Bulls. Stoudemire will meet with multiple teams.
• A confidante of Suns free agent Stoudemire said he cooled on the Heat last week because he was disappointed he was not Miami's No. 1 power forward choice. But Stoudemire was pleased to learn that Miami wants to meet with him at the start of free agency and is eager to hear what the team has to say.
• The reports of James possibly joining the Heat fueled a significant spike in Heat season ticket sales and local Internet traffic the past two days. Following a more definitive report by Stephen A. Smith, ESPN said Tuesday the Heat is the favorite for James but that James has been ``non-committal'' in discussions with Wade. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Tuesday that the Cavs have the edge.
• James Jones, who was released on Tuesday, helped the Heat by restructuring his buyout to lower his 2010-11 cap number from $1.85 million to $1.5 million. By trading Beasley for nothing on its 2010-11 cap, the Heat could give Wade, James and Bosh all max deals (starting at $16.6 million) and keep Mario Chalmers, with minimum salaries filling out the roster. The Heat on Tuesday extended a qualifying offer to Anthony - giving it the right to match any offer - but can rescind it at any time. That would count $1.06 million against the cap until he signs.
• Two teams with cap space said this week they haven't been approached by the Heat about Beasley but one said he might have interest in taking him for very little should Miami dump him.
The notion of the three stars taking slightly under the max, giving Miami more room to fill out the roster, has been raised but would be a tough sell.
• Bosh bristles at reports he will follow James wherever he signs. ``I don't even know where he wants to go,'' Bosh said. ``I have to make decisions based on how I feel.''
• One respected general manager told us if he were the Heat, he would sign Stoudemire because he can play center if needed, ``whereas Bosh doesn't like the contact'' and doesn't want to play center. ``And Stoudemire doesn't need the ball in his hands, while Bosh likes to take a few dribbles,'' the GM said. Another GM disagreed: ``Bosh is the better player. Amare is more physical but can't guard anybody.''
• A friend of Wade said if the Heat can't add James and Bosh or Boozer, Wade also likes a Wade/Bosh/Joe Johnson combo. But ESPN reported the Knicks are Johnson's first choice, with several others in pursuit.
• A Memphis official said a Beasley trade for restricted free agent Rudy Gay wouldn't make sense, noting the Grizzlies have Zach Randolph at power forward. A trade of Gay would happen only if owner Michael Heisley decides not to pay Gay (he said publicly he will) and wants a cheaper player.
• Raymond Felton, the top free agent point guard, has strong interest in the Heat, and Miami is expected to call Felton, among others, if it doesn't fill its cap with three stars. One scout cautioned, ``Felton is pretty good at a lot of things but not great at anything. And he was torched by Jameer Nelson in the playoffs.''
• Udonis Haslem, on what he believes he is worth: ``I look at guys at my position -- Anderson Varajao, Lamar Odom, Paul Millsap, and I want to be in the league with those guys. I led the league in double-doubles off the bench.'' Millsap will make $6.2 million in 2010-11, Varajeo $7 million and Odom $8.2 million.
Still, it's difficult to envision the Heat going that high. What if another team offers him more? ``It would be a big decision,'' he said. ``If we're on the verge of winning another championship here, why would I want to leave?''
• One Marlins executive has been telling people that talks with Bobby Valentine stalled because the Marlins were unwilling to give him as much autonomy as he wants.
• Though a return here would be surprising, free agent center Olli Jokinen (15 goals, 35 assists with the Flames and Rangers last season) would love to sign with the Panthers, his agent said.
• Many incoming UM football players began classes Tuesday, but a few commitments are uncertain if they will be academically eligible, including Jacksonville offensive lineman Tavadis Glenn, California linebacker Kelvin Cain and Fort Myers defensive back Jeremy Davis. Miami Beach defensive tackle Delmar Taylor will go to junior college.
