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.