Finally, Payton

The Heat signed Gary Payton to a veteran minimum contract of $1.1M earlier today. This was the same kind of contract the Heat re-signed Shandon Anderson to only a few days earlier.

This is a coup, ladies and gentlemen. Why? The Heat not only obtained an experienced point guard with a wide assortment of skills, but got him on board for huge value. The Heat still retain their $5 million mid-level salary cap exception as well as their $1.9 million trade exception.

But make no mistake, this is not a surprise, no matter what some reports may claim. The Heat have been looking at Payton for some time now, the most recent mentionings coming into the press on September 11th - but this courtship has been going on since late July, early August. Here are some sources:

Shaq wants Payton
Miami Heatzone Discussion Sept. 11
Miami Heatzone Discussion Sept. 5
Miami Herald - Heat contact Payton Aug. 9

Apparently, trade talks with the Wizards had broken down and the Heat opted not to go after Blake but instead focus on their discussions with Payton.

Heat re-sign Anderson and explore other possibilities

The Heat solidified its rotation and depth at the small forward position by re-signing Shandon Anderson to a veteran minimum contract. Anderson, a 31-year-old veteran, is expected to continue to provide the strong perimeter defense since being acquired from the Knicks last season. But he is not, as suggested by Ira Winderman, going to be the answer off the bench for the Heat beyond James Posey. I would suggest that Antoine Walker come off the bench at the small forward position, with Wayne Simien being the backup at power forward. This alleviates the need for the Heat to acquire another player, spend more money, and have to figure out what to do with its already booming roster.

Anderson was signed to the veteran's minimum, a special contract which can be used by any team as often as it wants to fill out its roster for eligible players. This also leaves the entire $5 million mid-level salary-cap exception intact for the Heat as well as its $1.9 million trade exception. This of course gives the Heat a lot of payroll flexibility and options to explore at this time.

In fact, Ira Winderman also reports that the Heat are taking a "second look" at free-agent Rodney White, a small forward that was the 2001 first-round pick of the Pistons, and is also looking at former Stanford standout Casey Jacobsen and Jason Kapono who played for the Bobcats last season. Both players are expected to provide outside shooting, something the Heat have been criticized of lacking going into this season. Both players have demonstrated this skill, hitting 3 pointers at clips of .373 and .474, respectfully, for their young careers.

Also according to Ira Winderman, the Heat are earmarking their entire $5 million exception for free-agent point guard Gary Payton who played for Boston last season. Reports have surfaced ranging from Shaq's desire to have Gary Payton in Miami and even to a recent remark by Pat Riley which suggested that the Heat envision a spot for the veteran in their backup point guard role.

Stay tuned to the Miami Heatzone for more details.

DJ leaves but there is still hope

So, DJ left Miami with a $16M/4 year paycheck. Good. He has worked hard to get himself into this position and now should be the starting point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

And that is something he definetly wouldn't have seen in Miami - another starting role.

After the Heat landed Jason Williams in a trade, the best DJ could hope for would have been a backup role. And in truth, I was not thrilled at that prospect.

Most of Jones' abilities were reliant on Shaq's presence in the paint and his ability to draw defenders to him. Dwyane Wade also helped enhance DJ's game, too, but it all started with Shaq. On this year's Heat team, DJ may not have seen much time on the floor with his good friend O'neal since he wouldn't have started. So, his complementary role was noted, but not renewed.

Not to mention, DJ offered a slower attack for this current Heat team. With Walker in the 2nd unit, as expected, the bench will be looking to push the ball, too. Walker is already going to be launching threes and with Zo's presence inside, it just may work. But having two players hanging around the perimeter may have clogged things and slowed it all down dramatically.

But a departing point guard seems all too familiar to Heat fans who watched Keyon Dooling depart earlier in the offseason to Orlando, getting that big paycheck and a chance to start. But this also seems familiar too - a young or virtually unknown point guard comes to Miami and makes himself known. This should also give hope to Heat fans who may start to panic at the loss of DJ. Rest assured, the Heat have options that could actually be better. There is still restricted free agent Steven Blake and even oft-traveled vetern Howard Eisely. The athletic Anthony Goldwire, long a Riley target, is also hovering out there as are some other intriguing young talents like DaJuan Wagner, Jannero Pargo and even Jay Williams.

So, wish DJ well. It was fun while it lasted. But there is still plenty left for Miami to choose from and move forward on their hopes of reaching the ultimate goal - a championship.