Gary Payton Will Not Return To HEAT !

Veteran guard Gary Payton is not expected to return to the Miami Heat next season.

Heat coach Pat Riley said Thursday that while the 17-year veteran Payton is unlikely to return, the team has interest in signing free agent forward P.J. Brown and are hoping to re-sign forward James Posey.

Payton averaged 6.6 points in two seasons with Miami, and helped the Heat win the 2006 NBA title. Payton said several times last year that he's considering retirement, but the nine-time All-Star hasn't decided, yet.

Brown averaged 6.1 points last season for the Chicago Bulls. Brown, who'll turn 38 in October, played for Riley and the Heat from 1996 through 2000, helping Miami to the playoffs in all four seasons.

''I'd love to hang his jersey from the rafters here,'' said Riley, who has talked to Brown personally about a return. ``I really would because he is one of my all-time favorite players, I think one of the all-time favorite players in the history of the Heat. I think he could really help us.''

Posey has spent the last two seasons with Miami.


''We're still talking and I don't know what is going to happen,'' Riley said.

The Heat's decision on Payton was long-expected, since Miami already has three point guards -- Jason Williams, Chris Quinn and newly acquired former Los Angeles Lakers starter Smush Parker -- on the roster.

source : miamiherald.com