Though Carlos Boozer wants to be traded to the Heat, Miami has put the issue on hold, at least for now.

``We listen to all inquiries but there is nothing going on,'' Heat president Pat Riley said Tuesday about Boozer, his first public statement since June.

Contrary to an Internet report, there was no discussion with Memphis about a deal that would send Udonis Haslem to Utah, Boozer to Miami and Dorell Wright to the Grizzlies. The Heat likes Boozer -- his skill set and expiring contract are appealing - and might pursue a trade eventually, but the priority now is waiting on free agent Lamar Odom's decision.

The Heat believes Odom is still strongly considering Miami's five-year, $34 million offer, though many consider the Lakers the front-runner to retain him because they can offer more money.

If Odom signs with Miami and if Dwyane Wade re-signs by next summer, the Heat would need to trim salary eventually in order to have room to sign a second maximum salary free agent in 2010 (such as Chris Bosh). That could be done by buying out James Jones next summer, not picking up the 2010-11 option on Daequan Cook or trading one of its two 2010 first-round draft picks.

CHATTER

Jamario Moon said the offer sheet he signed with Cleveland is for about $6 million over two years, and he hasn't been told if the Heat will match. (It will be surprising if Miami does.) ``I'm happy with either team,'' he said.

•  Though the Dolphins started contract talks with potential 2010 free agents Ronnie Brown and Matt Roth, they have not with Anthony Fasano and want to see more. ``He's a solid tight end, not special,'' one NFC personnel director said. ``You would like to find a better No. 1 ideally.''

•  An associate said Michael Vick isn't enamored with playing for Orlando in the United Football League, but a $1 million offer would be tempting if he's suspended by the NFL or if no NFL team bids. And no, the Dolphins haven't inquired about Vick. (Dennis Green predicted Vick could sign with Miami, but the Dolphins have Pat White for that role.)

•  The Marlins will try to dump salary (Dan Uggla, Jeremy Hermida, perhaps others) if they decide before the July 31 trade deadline that contending for postseason is unrealistic. But they entered Tuesday still believing they can contend. Larry Beinfest said there is now ``an openness'' to trading for another bat, but the Marlins see few realistic options -- available Oakland outfielder Matt Holliday, making $13.5 million, is too pricey.

•  Columbus High senior-to-be running back Jakhari Gore (Frank Gore's cousin) said he orally accepted UM's scholarship offer and denied a report it was pulled. Recruiting coordinator ``Clint Hurtt said they would make room for me.'' UM also got oral commitments from Belle Glade tight end Clive Walford and defensive backs Raheam Buxton (Pahokee) and Kacy Rodgers (from Texas and the son of the Dolphins defensive line coach), giving UM 14 oral commitments for the 2010 class.

•  Buzz on a few of the 11 freshmen who arrived at UM in the past few weeks: The most ballyhooed is safety Ray Ray Armstrong, rivals.com's 13th-best prospect nationally -- Randy Shannon said he reminds him of Sean Taylor. ``He's an NFL talent, heat-seeking missile who loves contact, the most competitive player I've coached,'' Sanford Seminole's Mike Cullison said, adding at 6-5 and 215 pounds, he eventually might play linebacker if he keeps growing. ``We just hope everything that's said about Ray Ray is backed up. I tell him that every day,'' Jacory Harris said...

Armstrong's high-school teammate, Dyron Dye, is a ``phenomenal'' pass rusher, Cullison said, (13.5 sacks last year) but word is he must bulk up and could end up red-shirting . . .

Freshman Lamar Miller, from Killian High, who ran an impressive 4.3 in the 40, said don't count him out of this year's running back battle. ``I bring something different - breakaway speed and great vision.'' . . .

A.J. Highsmith, who threw 28 touchdowns and four interceptions at Hightower (Tex.) High in '08, likely will redshirt but said offensive coordinator Mark Whipple ``told me he's excited about my athletic ability. They said their only concern is arm strength -- I've been working on it. If it doesn't work out at quarterback, they know I can play safety.'' His only other quarterback offers were from SMU and Houston.

Join the discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.repliedToText@

@Nyx.replyAnswerText@

Reply to this Comment @Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@