BY MICHAEL WALLACE
MWALLACE@MIAMIHERALD.COM
The representative for free agent point guard Jamaal Tinsley said he is scheduled to resume negotiations with Miami Heat president Pat Riley next week regarding a deal that could soon land his client in Miami.
On the other hand, Riley doesn't seem to be so certain.
Raymond Brothers said Thursday he spoke by phone with Riley earlier this week, when Riley was in Hawaii, and the two agreed to resume talks after the weekend.
Riley was in Hawaii as late as Wednesday, but was back at his offseason home in Southern California on Thursday. But Riley said through a team spokesman Thursday evening that no formal talks were planned and a Tinsley signing was not imminent.
``I talked to Pat when he was out there. There's still interest on both sides,'' Brothers said. ``We'll see what happens. But we'll talk again.''
Just when those discussions might resume -- or if all -- is unknown.
Talks between Riley and Tinsley's camp broke off briefly last month when the sides canceled a meeting after Lamar Odom, Miami's top free agency target, spurned the Heat's five-year, $34 million offer and re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
At that time, the Heat had hoped to land Odom and potentially support that frontcourt signing with another upgrade to bolster the backcourt.
But Riley, forced to regroup after the Odom pursuit ended, said recently the Heat might not add any players this season and instead refocus on plans for a roster overhaul in 2010.
The Heat is expected to have more salary cap space than any team next summer, when it hopes to re-sign Dwyane Wade to a maximum contract and also add a top free agent from a class that could include LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire and Joe Johnson.
But even with the Odom window closed, Riley apparently is keeping his options open regarding minor, short-term upgrades to the roster.
The Heat has 13 players under contract but no veteran depth at point guard, where Mario Chalmers started every game as a rookie last season.
During an Aug. 4 conference call with reporters, Riley said he had no plans to sign anyone to start ahead of Chalmers. But in addition to Tinsley, league sources said the Heat also has been in contact recently with free agent guard Allen Iverson. Riley addressed the slight possibility of signing either Iverson or Tinsley during the call earlier this month.
Of signing Tinsley, Riley said it ``is something we're thinking about. I like Jamaal.''
Another option might be Flip Murray, a free agent who repeatedly hurt the Heat in last season's first-round playoff series loss to Atlanta.
The Heat, which is about $2 million above the league's $69.9 punitive luxury tax, had been willing to discuss only one-year deals up to the $2 million veteran's exception.
Tinsley, 31, looks to revive his career after he sat out last season under orders by the Indiana Pacers to stay away from team in the aftermath of repeated off-court missteps, including two gun-related incidents.
The players union filed a grievance against the Pacers on Tinsley's behalf last season, and he was ultimately bought out of the final two seasons of his contract last month.
Tinsley averaged 10.4 points and 7.1 assists in seven seasons with Indiana, where he played alongside current Heat center Jermaine O'Neal. But their relationship in Indiana was described at times as tumultuous.
Brothers said the Heat is among ``three or four'' teams that are interested in signing Tinsley, who worked out last month for New York. Brothers would not say Thursday if there were plans to have Tinsley work out for the Heat.
``Jamaal is in excellent shape,'' Brothers said of Tinsley, whose conditioning reportedly had been a concern with the Pacers. ``He's ready to go. Pat knows what he can do.''
There is no questioning the fact that Tinsley has talent...but the guy is a nut job! The Heat will now have to deal with Chalmers, Beasley and Tinsley if this deal goes through...D-Wade is gonna high tail it outta Miami with slime balls like that on the squad...Riley...what the hell are you doing???
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