The signs of progress were visible through Heat forward Dorell Wright's grin as he talked Thursday about the strides he has made while recovering from knee surgery that prematurely ended his season.
He is making strides now, literally. He is walking with no discernable limp, painlessly climbing stairs at his home and extending his left leg into a straight line and lifting it into the air while in bed.
Those are all things Wright has been able to do for the first time since his season ended March 2, when he sustained a torn meniscus in his left knee in a loss at Sacramento and missed the Heat's final 26 games.
Provided his recovery continues to go as planned, Wright plans to next do something he hasn't been able to do in his previous four seasons in Miami: Become a reliable long-term option in the Heat's playing rotation.
''I'm just hoping things go well,'' said Wright, who along with forward Udonis Haslem attended a party Thursday at AmericanAirlines Arena for 300 students from the Heat Academy's after-school program. ``This is the place where I really want to be.''
In some ways, Wright's rehabilitation seems to have complicated matters as he heads into what already shaped up as the most important offseason of his career. But despite the setback, Wright is most likely to be brought back among the 11 players on the Heat's roster without guaranteed contracts heading into the summer.
From most indications, the Heat will extend Wright, 22, a $2.4 million qualifying offer next month, make him a restricted free agent and hold the right to match any outside offers to keep him for a fifth season.
Had Wright remained healthy and continued the progress he was making over the second half of the season, it is possible he would have commanded more interest -- and money -- from other teams when free agency negotiations open on July 1.
NO SUMMER LEAGUE
But Wright's agent, Calvin Andrews, anticipates this 6-9 swingman will still attract some suitors. Wright said he is ''about a month'' from resuming basketball workouts. He had considered playing in the July NBA Summer League until the Heat's staff advised him to sit out.
''They know the injury he had is not a serious injury,'' Andrews said. ``It's an injury you can bounce back from. But mentally, you want to see a guy back on the floor, so that's important going into free agency.''
Wright is coming off his most productive season after spending most of his first three years on the bench. He averaged 7.9 points, five rebounds and one block, all career highs. He had 34 starts in 44 games but was unable to keep the starting small forward job. That now belongs to Shawn Marion, who was acquired from Phoenix in the Shaquille O'Neal trade.
The Heat also could have other small forward options beyond Marion. Miami must decide whether to re-sign free agent Ricky Davis, the lone Heat player to appear in all 82 games. And among cost-effective free agents available could be Golden State's Mickael Pietrus, who drew interest from the Heat last summer as a restricted free agent.
Incidentally, the trade for Marion might also benefit Wright because it changed the dynamics of the offense. New coach Erik Spoelstra plans to run an up-tempo system. He mentioned Wright among the core he expects to thrive in that style.
Wright had his best games against teams that forced Miami into a running game. He had 19 points and 18 rebounds Dec. 7 against Golden State, 16 points and 12 rebounds Dec. 10 at Phoenix and 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists Feb. 12 against Denver.
Wright averaged 16.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists over a five-game stretch from early- to mid-February. Two weeks later, his season was done.
SUDDEN ENDING
''Of all the guys that sustained injuries this year, I hated most the fact that he got hurt,'' Haslem said. ``With the way he was playing, and with this being a big summer for him, you hate that.''
It took Wright weeks to get over the disappointment from the timing of his injury. ''I felt like I let everybody down,'' Wright said of what was supposed to be his breakthrough season. ``I showed flashes. I didn't get a chance to . . .''
Wright allowed his thoughts to drift momentarily before he spoke again.
''You should get better and better, improve from year to year,'' he said. ``But I feel like I'll be fine. I just have to stay focused and get back.''
