Wesley Person expected to sign

BY BARRY JACKSON

bjackson@herald.com


In need of depth at small forward, the Heat has turned to veteran sharpshooter Wesley Person.

Person, a 6-6 swingman, traveled to Miami on Tuesday and is expected to sign a contract with the team this week, according to an associate. He has agreed to accept the Heat's $1.6 million salary-cap exception and would compete with Rasual Butler at small forward.

Both are skilled shooters who should benefit from the open shots created by Shaquille O'Neal's presence.

Person, 33, has shot 41.3 percent from three-point range during a 10-year career. In 58 games last season for Memphis, Portland and Atlanta, Person shot 39.9 percent on threes (55 for 138) and 40.1 percent from the field, while averaging 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 17.9 minutes.

He averaged a career-high 15.1 points for Cleveland in 2001-02 and 11.0 points for Memphis in 2002-03. He played his first three NBA seasons for Phoenix, which picked him 23rd overall in the 1994 draft.

The Heat opted for Person over free agents Marcus Fizer, Lee Nailon, Kendall Gill, Bryon Russell and Michael Curry. Miami aggressively pursued Toni Kukoc, but he is planning to re-sign with Milwaukee.

Meanwhile, the agent for power forward Karl Malone said his client has not decided whether to retire or join a team that is pursuing him (the Heat, Lakers or Spurs).

With Person, Miami's roster would feature four players capable of playing shooting guard or small forward (Person, Butler, Eddie Jones and Dorell Wright); point guards Dwyane Wade, Damon Jones and Keyon Dooling; power forwards Malik Allen, Udonis Haslem, Jerome Beasley and Matt Freije; and centers O'Neal, Michael Doleac and Wang Zhi-Zhi.

Miami has used all of its salary-cap exceptions but can sign other players for the league minimum.

• Rookie second-round draft pick Albert Miralles, a 6-9 Italian League forward who was acquired from Toronto on draft night, likely will play in Europe next season, agent Herb Rudoy said. Miami would retain his rights.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/9368360.htm?1c

Good signing..I guess they are trying to turn into Lakers East....Alot of one dimensional role players off the bench and Shaq and Wade...

sure, they did well. Wonder how much he has left in the tank, but playing wth shaq shouldguarantee him a lot of open looks.

damn, seems that we won't see denis scott on the court.

Why don't we sign Fizer?

Posted by Rich:

Why don't we sign Fizer?

because we don't really need him. I don't see what he could bring that sweet and KT don't. Do we even have a free roster spot ?

Agree. Shaq's unguaradable one on one. So, why having one more defender in the paint (the one who would d on fizer) ?

They have to stretch the d to the max, and only shooters offer you that. How many guys became good by playing with shaq ? fisher, nick anderson, rick fox, denis scott, this list is endless.

With a good passing, a guy like person could do a hell of damages.

fans on some bulls boards often talked about the fact that he was a ball hog and never passed the ball back.