2012 NBA Champions!

Heat Turn to Free Agents Lewis, Camby

After agreeing to a deal with Ray Allen, Miami is not done bolstering its roster

By David Hill
|  Monday, Jul 9, 2012  |  Updated 7:52 AM EDT
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Miami Heat Victory Parade

Rashard Lewis (above, #9) visited the Miami Heat on Sunday

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Having agreed in principle to a deal with former Celtic Ray Allen, the Miami Heat turned its attention to Rashard Lewis and Marcus Camby over the weekend. Lewis visited Miami on Sunday, while the Heat have made inquiries about a sign-and-trade with the Houston Rockets for Camby.

"It went well," Lewis' agent Tony Dutt told the Miami Herald on Sunday. "We're talking to a couple more teams and will make a decision later in the week." Atlanta and New York are both expected to speak with Lewis.

Camby, meanwhile, canceled a visit to Miami after the Heat agreed to pay Allen the mini mid-level exception. Rather than take the veteran minimum with the Heat, Camby would like to get more money through a sign-and-trade.

But New York and New Jersey are also interested in a similar deal, and they are being called the favorites to land Camby by Yahoo! Sports. Miami might not land Lewis, either. Other clubs can offer him more money, though that did not stop the Heat from acquiring Allen.

Miami could target a third free agent, Chicago Bulls point guard John Lucas III. He was last seen getting dunked on by LeBron James in the regular season, when he averaged 7.5 points a game for the Bulls. The Heat might opt to go without a third point guard for the second season in a row, though, confident in Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole.

Miami could also make a move for Raja Bell, whose contract will be bought out by the Utah Jazz. According to Yahoo, he is interested in playing for his hometown Heat.

It is still possible that Miami could work out a sign-and-trade with Boston for Allen (due to NBA rules, no new contracts can be signed until Wednesday). But the Herald ruled out that possibility after speaking with Celtics coach Doc Rivers, so the Heat will likely give Allen the mini mid-level for $3.1 million a year.

That leaves Miami with only the veteran minimum ($1.3 million) to offer any other free agents. Almost everyone else on the team is making less money than they could elsewhere (even the Big Three). It did not stop the Heat from getting Allen at a discount, but Miami may not be able to land any other marquee or even mid-level names for the budget it has left.

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Posted Jul 9, 2012
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