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duncan228
08-25-2007, 11:37 AM
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-heatnote8-25-07nbaug25,0,6767522.story

Posey likely leaving for better offer
By Michael Cunningham | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

It looks like James Posey found some free-agent offers he likes better than the Heat's.

The agent for Posey said Friday that the forward was close to signing with another team, which would end Posey's Heat tenure after two seasons and leave the Heat thin at small forward.

Agent Mark Bartelstein declined to name the two teams vying to sign Posey but said a return to the Heat wasn't among the likely options.

"I don't want to get into the teams, but I expect something to get done later [Friday] or [Saturday]," Bartelstein said.

Heat coach Pat Riley said earlier this week that the team had extended an offer to Posey that he characterized as "the best offer out on the market." Riley added that team owner Micky Arison, already paying more than $1 million in luxury taxes, is unwilling to add major payroll unless it's a "significant asset to help us win, not a role player."

The Heat apparently believes Posey doesn't merit that type of salary despite 82 games started at small forward over the past two seasons. Posey was most effective as a bench player during the Heat's run to the NBA championship in 2005-06.

Posey will be the third forward to leave the Heat in free agency this summer. Jason Kapono signed with Toronto and Eddie Jones with Dallas, leaving the Heat with natural power forward Antoine Walker, inexperienced Dorell Wright and comeback veteran Penny Hardaway at small forward.

Bartelstein, who also represents power forward P.J. Brown, said Brown is deciding whether to play a 15th season. Riley wants to sign Brown, who played for the Heat from 1996-2000 and spent last season with Chicago.


JOHNSON SIGNS
The Heat signed Alexander Johnson, the 6-foot-9 former Florida State forward. Johnson appeared in 59 games with 19 starts as a rookie for Memphis last season and averaged 4.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 12.8 minutes.

Johnson originally was a second-round pick of the Pacers but had his draft rights traded first to Portland and then to Memphis. Johnson played three seasons at Florida State. ...

Agent Bill Neff said he's been in contact with the Heat about guard Troy Hudson. The 10-year veteran played 34 games last season with Minnesota.

T Park
08-25-2007, 01:34 PM
Who are the teams supposedly trying to sign Posey?

duncan228
08-25-2007, 01:45 PM
Who are the teams supposedly trying to sign Posey?

No clue.

His agent "declined to name the 2 teams vying to sign him."

Riley seems to think the Heat made him the best offer out there, so who knows.

Whatever it is, it doesn't sound like he'll be with the Heat.

Phil Hellmuth
08-25-2007, 02:16 PM
Posey signs with Celtics

Burn531
08-25-2007, 04:09 PM
Miami is gonna suck this year. Was Smush Parker there only FA signing?