Heat may be talking about deal for Payton

By Brian Biggane

 

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

 

Saturday, February 26, 2005

 

MIAMI ? Just because the NBA trade deadline has passed doesn't mean the Heat roster is set for the rest of the season and playoffs.

 

In addition to Alonzo Mourning and Steve Smith, who could join the team as early as today, Miami reportedly is interested in point guard Gary Payton. Payton, traded from Boston to Atlanta on Thursday, was believed to be negotiating a buyout of his contract with the Hawks on Friday.

 

Heat President Pat Riley was noncommittal about Payton, who played with Shaquille O'Neal with the Los Angeles Lakers last season. But in discussing the flurry of moves made around the NBA at the deadline Thursday, Riley said, "There will be some players that are going to be available on waivers."

 

Payton, 36, started all 54 games this year with the Celtics, averaging 12.1 points, 6.1 assists and 1.2 steals.

 

Surprisingly, Boston, which sent Payton to Atlanta to obtain Antoine Walker, is the other team reportedly competing for Payton's services. But the conference-leading Heat has a much better shot at a title this year, which was the reason given for Payton leaving Seattle for the Lakers last season.

 

If Payton were to choose Boston, it would be because of the opportunity to remain a starter. While he would certainly compete with Damon Jones for a starting guard spot in Miami, coach Stan Van Gundy has stuck with Jones alongside Dwyane Wade because of Jones' ability to hit the three-point shot.

 

Jones has been more accurate and busier than Payton from beyond the three-point line this season, hitting 215 of 479 attempts for 41.5 percent. Payton is just 31-for-101, for 30 percent.

 

Adding Payton would mean Miami, which is already working on a buyout of Wesley Person's contract, would have to make another roster move to create room. One possibility is Keyon Dooling, whose backup point guard role would be usurped by Payton.

 

Farewell to Allen: Riley and Van Gundy sounded disappointed to have had to deal away forward Malik Allen, who had spent his entire NBA career in Miami before being dealt to Charlotte in the Smith trade.

 

"I love Malik, he was one of our developing guys," Riley said. "He's a professional. It was hard."

 

Van Gundy said his phone call to Allen was a difficult one.

 

"Malik's been with us for 56 games," Van Gundy said, "and I go back with Malik to being an assistant and working with guys after practice and coaching them in the summer leagues. That was the toughest one for me, on a personal level. I hope it works out for him."

 

The 6-foot-10 Allen, who signed as a free agent in 2001, averaged 7.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 151 games with the Heat. He has battled injuries this season, and his role had decreased with the emergence of Udonis Haslem and the additions of Christian Laettner and Alonzo Mourning.

I saw on ESPN that the Heat, Suns, Celtics and one or 2 others would be interested in The Glove

Seriously GP, just go back to Seattle and retire after this season like a man, with or without a ring.

That'd be crazy if he went back to Boston