Heat interested in Iverson
The Heat have reportedly made contact with Allen Iverson's people to begin preliminary talks about bringing Iverson to play alongside Dwyane Wade in Miami. They aren't expected to offer even the full mid-level exception for Iverson, who figures to take a steep pay cut from last season's $23 million no matter where he winds up. (Miami Herald)

Cavs looking at Marion, Parker
Having lost out on a couple of players (Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza) in whom they were reportedly interested, the Cavs are said to be taking looks at a pair of Raptors' free agents in Anthony Parker and Shaun Marion. While Marion is the bigger name, sources indicate that Parker, who the Cavs made a play for three years ago when he came over from Europe, is the player the Cavs are pursuing with the most intensity. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Morning tidbits

Celts really, really, really want Rasheed
Word is that the Celtics are mostly after three free agents right now: Tyronn Lue, Antonio McDyess, and Rasheed Wallace. That last one is supposedly the one that the team is putting the most effort into snagging. Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce actually went with team prez of basketball operations Danny Ainge and managing partner Wyc Grousbeck to Detroit to meet with Wallace for three hours. Wallace was not immediately swayed. And why should he be? They guy is supposedly getting bombarded with interest from the likes of Cleveland, Orlando, Charlotte, and San Antonio. (Boston Globe)

Mavs about to get their big man?
The Mavericks really want to get bigger this off-season and the word is the team has a $5.5 million offer out to the 6’11” center Marcin Gortat, who was part of the Magic team that rolled to the Finals last season. The only thing reportedly in the way o a deal being signed, sealed, and delivered is if the Magic decide to match the Dallas offer. (Dallas Morning News)

Kidd–to-Knicks rumors not dying
Rumors the other day were that there was no way Jason Kidd would move from Dallas to New York, especially since the Mavs are supposedly offering him three years and $25 million to $30 million while the Knicks are reportedly offering him three years at “only” $18 million. But now word is coming that the veteran point guard really likes the idea of being a hero in New York by helping turn around a dismal organization. Plus, his friendship with LeBron James would at least help fuel the fire for another year that New York could possibly lure James away from Cleveland. Former Net Richard Jefferson is saying Kidd will end up in New York. (New York Daily News)

Marbury done in Boston?
The Celtics have apparently offered Stephon Marbury a one-year deal for about $1.3 million. The free-agent guard apparently doesn’t want to play pro ball for that kind of cash just yet and claims that there are three other teams interested in him. You can bet one of them isn’t the Knicks. (Boston Globe)

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