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[FONT=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Wells' agent talking to Heat[/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica]Merle Scott, the Miami-based agent for Bonzi Wells, said Wednesday he has spoken to the Heat regarding the free-agent guard.
Wells, who turned down a five-year, $36 million offer to return to the Kings earlier this offseason only to have it pulled off the table, recently switched agents and began exploring his remaining limited options.
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[FONT=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica]"We've spoken to the Heat, yes," Scott said. "And we will talk again."
Wells, who turned 30 Wednesday, averaged 13.6 points last season for Sacramento and then upped that average to 23.2 in the postseason. But after Wells, who earned $8 million last season, took a hard line in his negotiations, the Kings instead turned to 76ers free agent John Salmons, the former University of Miami guard.
Wells worked out earlier this week for the Rockets and also has drawn interest from the Bobcats and Nuggets, most likely to accept a one-year deal wherever he lands.
The Heat has its $5.2 million mid-level and $1.8 million lower-level salary cap exceptions still available, but coach Pat Riley has said he does not plan to exceed the $65 million payroll threshold that triggers the NBA's dollar-for-dollar luxury tax. The Heat is currently on the cusp of the tax, with 13 players under guaranteed contract.
The Kings, with tax concerns of their own, do not appear amenable to a sign-and-trade deal for Wells, the type of move where the Heat could lop off the contract of backup center Michael Doleac or others.
While Wells could bolster the Heat's depth, Riley's team already has a variety of options at the swing positions behind Antoine Walker and Dwyane Wade, including James Posey, Dorell Wright, Jason Kapono and, possibly, Shandon Anderson.
Wells previously was a teammate of Posey and Heat point guard Jason Williams in Memphis, where he fell out of favor with coach Mike Fratello.
"This is not going to be a one-horse race," Scott said when asked which team stands as the front-runner. "We're at the mercy right now of when things happen."
Training camp opens Oct. 3.
Ira Winderman can be reached at iwinderman@ sun-sentinel.com.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-spheat21sep21,0,7102052.story?coll=sfla-sports-headlines
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[FONT=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica]By Ira Winderman [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica]South Florida Sun-Sentinel [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica]Posted September 21 2006 [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica]South Florida Sun-Sentinel [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica]Posted September 21 2006 [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica]Merle Scott, the Miami-based agent for Bonzi Wells, said Wednesday he has spoken to the Heat regarding the free-agent guard.
Wells, who turned down a five-year, $36 million offer to return to the Kings earlier this offseason only to have it pulled off the table, recently switched agents and began exploring his remaining limited options.
[/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica]"We've spoken to the Heat, yes," Scott said. "And we will talk again."
Wells, who turned 30 Wednesday, averaged 13.6 points last season for Sacramento and then upped that average to 23.2 in the postseason. But after Wells, who earned $8 million last season, took a hard line in his negotiations, the Kings instead turned to 76ers free agent John Salmons, the former University of Miami guard.
Wells worked out earlier this week for the Rockets and also has drawn interest from the Bobcats and Nuggets, most likely to accept a one-year deal wherever he lands.
The Heat has its $5.2 million mid-level and $1.8 million lower-level salary cap exceptions still available, but coach Pat Riley has said he does not plan to exceed the $65 million payroll threshold that triggers the NBA's dollar-for-dollar luxury tax. The Heat is currently on the cusp of the tax, with 13 players under guaranteed contract.
The Kings, with tax concerns of their own, do not appear amenable to a sign-and-trade deal for Wells, the type of move where the Heat could lop off the contract of backup center Michael Doleac or others.
While Wells could bolster the Heat's depth, Riley's team already has a variety of options at the swing positions behind Antoine Walker and Dwyane Wade, including James Posey, Dorell Wright, Jason Kapono and, possibly, Shandon Anderson.
Wells previously was a teammate of Posey and Heat point guard Jason Williams in Memphis, where he fell out of favor with coach Mike Fratello.
"This is not going to be a one-horse race," Scott said when asked which team stands as the front-runner. "We're at the mercy right now of when things happen."
Training camp opens Oct. 3.
Ira Winderman can be reached at iwinderman@ sun-sentinel.com.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-spheat21sep21,0,7102052.story?coll=sfla-sports-headlines
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