With the NBA lockout now over, NBA teams are looking ahead to a shortened and hectic free agency signing period. It appears Pat Riley and the Miami Heat are looking to add Shane Battier to the mix. Via the SunSentinel.com:
Starting Monday, teams can begin making direct, face-to-face pitches to free agents, after being limited to contact with player agents since Wednesday. The post-lockout starting point for free-agent signings remains Friday, which is also when training camps will open in advance of the lockout-shortened 66-game schedule that for the Heat opens Dec. 25 on the road against the Dallas Mavericks.
According to Yahoo, the Heat's initial push will come toward Memphis Grizzlies free-agent forward Shane Battier, who essentially would take over the reserve-swingman role the Heat envisioned last season for injury-plagued Mike Miller. Battier, however, would provide a higher level of defensive deterrence on the wing, easing such burdens for James and Dwyane Wade.
The Grizzlies are expected to focus their efforts on re-signing center Marc Gasol, so Battier will most likely be available to the highest possible bidder, though the Heat only have their $5 million mid-level exception available.
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