Mario Chalmers has not necessarily welcomed new Heat teammate Carlos Arroyo with open arms. Instead, there has been resistance.

That is considered good.

``There were times we'd have some drills and the intensity was way up,'' coach Erik Spoelstra said after Tuesday's practice, Arroyo's second since he signed with the team Monday.

``And [assistant coach Ron Rothstein] came over to me and said, `If nothing else, that was an extremely competitive practice.' [He has] surprised some guys.''

Arroyo traveled for the Heat's two-game trip to play Oklahoma City in Tulsa on Wednesday and New Orleans in Kansas City on Thursday.

But Arroyo, a seven-year NBA veteran who was a free agent until Monday, didn't wait until his first game in uniform to make an impact. It took only a few drills.

For Chalmers, Arroyo's arrival marks the first time the 2008 second-round draft pick has had to face a veteran with such an NBA resume. Chalmers downplayed Arroyo's presence as a potential motivating factor that would bring out his best.

``Not at all,'' said Chalmers, the first Heat rookie to start all 82 games last season.

``I'm going to keep my same composure, approach every day. Him coming here helps us. There are no battles, no beefs. Everybody's cool.''

Chalmers said he didn't really have a reaction when he learned the Heat signed Arroyo to bolster depth at point guard after backup Chris Quinn sustained a sprained right foot.

Chalmers and Arroyo already had faced one another during summer pickup games at Palmetto High.

``We all have to push each other,'' Arroyo said. ``That's what practice is about. We're here to make everybody better for the season.''

MONEY MATTERS

Even with Arroyo signing a $1.1 million contract that isn't guaranteed unless he's on the team beyond Jan. 10, Heat president Pat Riley remains committed to reducing or eliminating Miami's potential luxury tax bill by the trading deadline in late February.

The Heat was operating about $3 million above the tax threshold on payrolls that exceed $69.9 million.

Discounting the NBA's supplement on minimum contracts for veterans, Arroyo's salary would potentially add about $850,000 to Miami's penalty. The Heat would have to pay a dollar for every dollar it is above the tax at season's end.

WADE STILL AILING

Heat guard Dwyane Wade practiced in a limited role and remains questionable for Wednesday's game with a strained left rib cage.

Wade is still dealing with soreness.

``I'm not trying to get too much contact [so] I didn't drive to the bucket,'' Wade said of his recent workouts. ``I have to pick my spots. I have to make sure there's no discomfort when I do play.''

Jermaine O'Neal (foot), Quentin Richardson (ankle) and Daequan Cook (thumb) are expected to play at least one of the games on the trip. Miami is 0-3 in the preseason with four exhibitions left.

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