Heat trying to make the most of limited budget

It's hard to make a big splash in free agency without an abundance of cash. Miami Heat president Pat Riley is finding that out. The reigning co-NBA Executive of the Year had many thinking that he would pull off a flashy signing.
 
The Heat went into this frantic free-agency period with a glaring need at center. But pocket change wasn't enough to land a top-notch big man such as Nene or Samuel Dalembert, even if Dalembert said the prospect of playing with Miami would be "fantastic."
 
The Heat also need a point guard. But it's a slim crop in free agency, and Miami officials might feel they can't do much better than re-sign restricted free agent Mario Chalmers.
 
So Miami made its big move Thursday in securing free-agent forward Shane Battier, which isn't too bad considering the circumstances. If the Heat don't waive swingman Mike Miller as part of the NBA's new amnesty clause, all Miami would have to offer Battier is a $3 million exception. Battier, who made $7.35 million last season, is giving the Heat a discount because he desperately wants to win an NBA title.
 
So the pieces are coming together for the Heat prior to Friday's opening of training camp after a five-month lockout. At center, Miami is expected to sign Eddy Curry to a minimum deal, and it certainly won't be a surprise if Chalmers ends up returning to man the point.
 
Curry, who has battled weight problems but was in reasonable shape during an Oct. 8 charity game in Miami, looks to be about the best the Heat could do at center with possibly no money left over after Battier. Kwame Brown, who strongly has considered Miami, played for the minimum last season in Charlotte. But Brown had a solid campaign, and doesn't figure willing to settle again for the minimum.
 
The Heat hold the cards regarding Chalmers, who averaged 6.4 points and 2.5 assists per game as a part-time starter last year. If an offer sheet is put down on him, Miami will have three days to match.
 
"It's in their hands," Chalmers told reporters about what the Heat might do after working out Thursday at AmericanAirlines Arena. "Let's see what they do."
 
Chalmers has said he wants to remain with the Heat. He reiterated that Thursday, saying, "It would mean a lot (to stay)."
 
It would be a surprise if the Heat, which have only one other true point guard in rookie Norris Cole, don't end up retaining Chalmers to be the starter.
 
As for other starters, obviously remaining intact are shooting guard Dwyane Wade, small forward LeBron James and power forward Chris Bosh, their 2010 signings being the reason Riley shared Executive of the Year last season with Chicago's Gar Forman. And the center likely would remain Joel Anthony, with Curry providing some relief. Bosh also has said he's ready to play more at center.
 
Curry has appeared in just 10 NBA games since the start of the 2008-09 season. But he's only 29, and is a low-risk investment.
 
If there is a return of Chalmers and Miller, who expressed confidence earlier this week after talking with Riley and coach Erik Spoelstra that he won't be an amnesty victim, that would make at least nine players back from last season.

In addition to The Big Three and Anthony, others remaining under contract are forward Udonis Haslem, guard Eddie House and center Dexter Pittman.
 
It remains to be seen what will happen with free-agent swingman James Jones. Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas is retiring. And the Heat do not consider free agents Mike Bibby, Erick Dampier, Juwan Howard and Jamaal Magloire very likely to return. Magloire is expected to sign with Toronto.
 
So that could leave Battier as the only significant addition on a team that lost 4-2 to Dallas last spring in the NBA Finals. He's 33 but could play a key role.
 
Battier, a career 38.5 percent three-point shooter, figures to get plenty of open looks due to foes worrying about The Big Three. Battier is a top-notch defender. That could come in quite handy against high-scoring wingmen, and give James and Wade some rest from regularly being matched up against such players.
 
Battier also will give the Heat an excellent presence in the locker room. He's coming to Miami in order to win.
 
"Over the last week, I've played out every scenario in my head over and over," Battier, who averaged 7.6 points last season with Houston and Memphis and has a career average of 9.6, wrote on Twitter. "It always came back to one thing for me: a winning role."
 
It remains to be seen how much is left in Battier. But his signing might be the best the Heat could have done with their limited budget.
 
Chris Tomasson can be reached at christomasson@hotmail.com and on Twitter @christomasson.