Heat showing interest in acquiring Stephon Marbury - may need 3rd team for deal

Apparently the Heat are going after Stephon Marbury or maybe even Gary Payton :

http://www.miami.com/herald/content/sports/basketball/heat/digdocs/039268.htm

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Official: Heat favors a trade for Marbury
BY BARRY JACKSON
bjackson@herald.com

Gary Payton's name has been mentioned in trade speculation involving the Heat, but Miami actually has more interest in New Jersey's Stephon Marbury, according to an NBA official.

At 24, Marbury is eight years younger than Payton. Marbury has four years left on a six-year, $70.9 million deal. Payton has two years left on a seven-year, $85 million contract and wants an extension.

A deal for Marbury probably would involve a third team and require Miami to part with Brian Grant or Eddie Jones, plus additional players.

Numerous teams have inquired about Payton and Marbury, who might be kept by the Sonics and Nets, respectively, if they cannot get enough in return.

If the Heat cannot trade for a point guard, it will fill the need from a free agent list that's nondescript beyond John Stockton and Alvin Williams. Among the options: Rod Strickland, Avery Johnson and Shammond Williams.

Coach Pat Riley wants to re-sign Anthony Carter, but Tim Hardaway is unlikely to return unless the Heat strikes out in attempts to find an adequate replacement.

Heat general manager Randy Pfund said Monday it's unlikely Miami will trade for a first-round choice in the June 27 draft. The Heat has only the 49th pick. Its 20th overall pick was dealt to Cleveland in the Grant trade.

``We are not aggressively trying with great angst to get into the first round,'' Pfund said.

The Heat has six players under contract who can be traded (Alonzo Mourning, Grant, Jones, Ricky Davis, Eddie House and Don MacLean), but it would be allowed to trade next year's first-round pick for a first-rounder this year, as long as it's announced after the draft.

Some teams with multiple first-rounders -- such as Orlando, Boston or <FONT COLOR=BLUE>Houston</FONT> -- might want to deal a low pick if they cannot package picks to move up.

``But there's no specific deal out there,'' Pfund said.

Pfund said the Heat will bring in a ``few'' players for workouts such as those ``with state ties.'' Florida forward Brent Wright could be available at No. 49.

The Heat privately auditioned Lamar Odom two years ago, but Pfund said the team would not schedule private workouts with this year's top prospects.

Pfund said 6-11 center Ernest Brown, recovering from shoulder surgery, likely will be invited to the Heat's training camp.

Brown, drafted 52nd last June out of Indian Hills (Iowa) Community College, played in the ABA and for the Harlem Globetrotters last season.

``He's potentially a good big man,'' Pfund said.

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"I had mine chewed off by a boss one time." -- Behad leaves us wondering if he gets hazard pay...

[This message has been edited by Dr of Dunk (edited June 19, 2001).]