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Bell receives 5-year offer from Heat
By Charles F. Gardner
Monday, Sep 17 2007, 02:55 PM
Restricted free agent guard Charlie Bell has received a five-year, $18 million offer from the Miami Heat, according to National Basketball Association sources.
The Milwaukee Bucks will have one week to match the offer or relinquish the rights to Bell.
Bell said on Saturday that he did not wish to return to the Bucks. Milwaukee had offered a three-year, $9 million contract to the former Michigan State player.
Bell's agent, Mark Bartelstein, confirmed the Miami offer sheet and said Bell had visited with Heat officials in Miami on Friday and Saturday. Bell met with Heat president and head coach Pat Riley.
"I think he's excited about it," Bartelstein said. "He had a real good visit. Now it's obvious the Bucks have to make a hard decision. I'm frustrated it came to this point, but it did."
Bell is the second Bucks guard pursued by Miami during the current off-season. The Heat made a strong run at unrestricted free agent guard Mo Williams, offering him a five-year, $31 million contract. But Williams eventually signed a six-year, $52 million contract with the Bucks, who were able to offer him a significantly larger deal.
Bartelstein said Bell no longer will consider any European contract offers and will either be with the Heat or the Bucks. On Saturday, Bell said it was "time to move on" and that he no longer had the passion required to remain with Milwaukee.
"I believe it's a privilege for every player to play in the NBA, and the last thing you want is to have a player say he doesn't want to be somewhere," Bartelstein said.
"But all you can do is be honest about how you feel. Most people choose where they want to work, and his heart is just not in Milwaukee. He doesn't mean to be disrespectful or arrogant; he's just being honest."
Bucks general manager Larry Harris was unavailable for comment. In earlier comments, Harris said the Bucks would evaluate any offer sheet on its merits and make a careful decision on whether to retain Bell.
Bell averaged 13.5 points and 3.0 assists with the Bucks last season while appearing in all 82 games and making 64 starts. Several of his teammates have lobbied for his return, including Williams and forward Charlie Villanueva.
Bell also said that Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak had been very supportive of him and had talked with Bell several times this summer.
"Charlie is a heck of a player, and if he was unrestricted, this would have been resolved a long time ago," Bartelstein said.
Bartelstein said he had no hint of what action the Bucks might take.
"They're going to do what they deem is best for them," Bartelstein said. "These are tough situations. We thought that we owe it to the Bucks to make it clear how Charlie feels. They need to know what they're walking into."
The Heat did sign free-agent guard Smush Parker, who played with the Los Angeles Lakers last season. But Riley is still seeking backcourt help for all-star guard and former Marquette star Dwyane Wade.
The Bucks have until next Monday to respond to the Heat's offer sheet.
http://blogs.jsonline.com/bucks/arch...from-heat.aspx
