Pat Riley did it. Give the man credit. He placed his bets - and hit the jackpot.

The Heat has the framework in place to build the NBA's next dynasty. The Heat got a clean sweep by landing the three top free agents on the market.

D-Wade. LeBron. C-Bosh. Or, should it be LeBron, D-Wade and C-Bosh? Doesn't matter. All three insist it won't be about egos and in what order they fall in line. There will be enough to share.

Especially when it comes time to hand out those championship rings in the coming years. Credit Chris Bosh for being the first domino to fall. His commitment on Tuesday night freed Wade up to make his return. After that, the duo put pressure on James to form the trilogy.

Here are some key quotes from LeBron during his hour-long ESPN special Thursday night.

(On the stress and strain of free agency) "This process has been everything I thought it would be and more. I have enjoyed it. It's been a real humbling experience to be in this position."

(On when he made his decision) "I think I decided this morning. But it was day to day. I'd wake up one morning and it's this team, wake up one morning and it's that team. This morning, I woke up and had a great conversation with my mom. And I knew."

(On what led to decision) "The major factor (was) the best opportunity to win now and to win in the future also."

(On opportunity to play with Wade and Bosh) "It was hard to turn down. You have two great players there already. You add me, it's going to be a good team."

(On who will coach this team) "Erik Spoelstra will be the coach. Pat said that. Erik had a great mentor in Pat. I respect Coach Spoelstra and everything he's going to do."

(On toughest decision of career) "It was tough. Very tough. You feel like you let a lot of people down. You raised a lot of expectations also. You have to do what's best for you. I feel like this is going to give me the best opportunity to win.

(How hard it was to leave Cleveland) "I never wanted to leave Cleveland. My heart will always be in that area. It's not about leaving Cleveland. It's about joining forces (with Wade and Bosh)."

(On disappointment after seeing Cleveland fans burning jersey) "This is tough. Very tough. You feel like you let a lot of people down."

(For live news, notes and updates on the Heat, follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/wallacesports. To post a question or join our live Heat chat each Thursday from 1-2 p.m., click here.)

In a span of minutes, several reports have come out about the latest moves regarding the Heat. Some are mere speculation. Some are the real deal. Either way, the Heat is prepared to strike quickly regardless of what happens with LeBron.

We try to separate the fact from fiction. 

LEBRON WATCH: The buzz continues to get stronger and stronger that LeBron will announce he's heading to the Heat to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. While ESPN is reporting that some of James' other suitors - New Jersey, New York, Cleveland and Chicago - are conceding defeat, the Heat isn't anywhere near celebrating victory just yet. There's a quiet confidence around the franchise right now - especially after any potential money issues were cleared with news that the salary-cap was about $2 million more than expected. The Heat is holding off on Bosh-Wade press conference for now until they determine whether a third seat at the table is needed for James.

BEASLEY TRADE?: Michael Beasley will have to be moved for this deal to work out with the Heat. There is one report out there that Houston, Miami, Toronto and Charlotte are working on a four-team deal in which Beasley will end up in Charlotte, Chandler will go to Houston, Toronto will get a few spare pieces and the Heat will get the coveted cap relief from Beasley's $5 million contract to clear space for James and others. At the same time, there's news out there that the Heat has offered Mike Miller a five-year contract for about $30 million. So either Wade, Bron and Bosh are serious about each taking less money to get more help. Or there are conflicting reports about the Heat shedding salary cap space while at the same time clogging it up with the offer to Miller. You can look at the Miller situation two ways: It's a sign that the Heat is confident in the LeBron deal. Or, Miami knows something else and is ready to move forward with plans to round out the roster should James head elsewhere.

BOSH ARRIVAL: The newest member of the Heat arrived at MIA early Thursday afternoon. Chris Bosh initially said he planned to spend a few more days in Dallas with family and would come early if the Heat needed him. Well, I guess Pat Riley called and asked Bosh to get here. The sooner the Heat can get Bosh in front of its fan base, the better. And Bosh's arrival sort of dispels those rumors that he was headed to Connecticut to be with LeBron for that announcement tonight. Both Bosh and Wade are hopeful that LeBron comes, but they also sound like they're ready to move on to other roster targets to build as strong of a supporting cast as they can before all the goods are off the market.

OPTIONS DWINDLING?: Scratch another potential Heat target off the market now, with center Brendan Haywood agreeing to a six-year, $55 million deal to return to Dallas. Haywood met with the Heat in Charlotte last week and was being recruited to play in the post alongside Bosh, so that Bosh could stay at his desired power forward position. If LeBron comes, the Heat won't have the money to make a serious upgrade at center. But if he doesn't, that means the likes of Brad Miller and - dare we say it - Shaquille O'Neal top the list of available free agent centers at this point. So the Heat would likely shift into a recruiting battle of sorts with New York for point guard Raymond Felton and swingmen such as Miller, Josh Howard, Raja Bell and the like.

HASLEM UPDATE: Forward Udonis Haslem said he's received interest from several teams and is weighing his free agency options, including a possible return to the Heat. Speaking on ESPN's First Take show this morning, Haslem said he's interested to see how things are going to play out for the Heat in this LeBron chase. "I'm really excited for the organization, whether I'm back or not," Haslem said. "The power would definitely shift to the East. Those guys have the chance to put together a dynasty that could last the next seven, eight years."

Stay tuned. Again, the best bet to keep up with coverage of the Heat is to follow me on twitter@wallacesports

(For live news, notes and updates on the Heat, follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/wallacesports. To post a question or join our live Heat chat each Thursday from 1-2 p.m., click here.)

Only one word truly describes how today played out as the Heat's beat writer for the Miami Herald.

Crazy. Well, maybe I could find another that would fit just as well. Amazing.

Somewhere between agonizing and exhilarating was where I could be found from the moment I got my first call of the day Wednesday morning with a tip that something big was going down in Miami.

Turns out, the Heat not only got a major commitment from Dwyane Wade, there was also the accompanying news that he will partner with Chris Bosh in Miami for the next five or six seasons.

That's two of the top three free agents on the greatest market in NBA history who ended up with the Heat. There's still one big fish out there - LeBron James, who will announce his decision at 9 p.m. Thursday.

But Wednesday might have been one of the most thrilling days in four seasons on the Heat beat. Let's recap.

6:47 a.m. - First text from a league source buzzes the cell phone, indicating that some big news could be coming down for the Heat, with a potential double commitment from Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The process of trying to confirm this info begins, as does the day for our 11-month-old light sleeper in the room.

7:15 a.m. - First calls go out to Heat execs, agents and player sources to see if the tip indeed is legit. Understandably, it's hard to reach folks at that time on the east coast, let alone anywhere else in the country.

7:32 a.m. - Turn on the TV, ESPN. See/hear Chris Broussard on the Mike and Mike Show, breaking down the exact same info - reporting it as fact: That D-Wade and Chris Bosh were a done deal in Miami. Thinking to myself, this could or couldn't be legit. After all, I kept thinking about how my man Broussard reported as fact that Wade, Bosh and LeBron were having their pow wow in Miami two weekends ago. Only, I was in Chicago with D-Wade at the time, and LeBron, it was later determined, was in New York.

7:47a.m. - Tweet that ESPN is reporting Bosh and Wade a done deal in Miami, still unable to secure reliable sources just yet as I wait on return phone calls.

7:50 a.m. - Start to file a story for the Herald's web site that lays out the details of the Bosh-Wade pairing in Miami. Details are breaking nationally, but, in an effort to make sure facts are straight, still not quite ready to confirm the story through independent sources.

8:03 a.m. - Politely turn down the first of dozens of interview requests from radio stations from South Florida to San Antonio to Chicago to New York. The adrenaline rush begins at this point. Ask the wife if she could handle dropping off our youngster, because it's going to be a hectic day. She says Yes. I've got the next drop-off and pick-up Thursday.

8:30 a.m. - Time to get dressed, showered and headed over to Nova Southeastern University, figuring I'd better make a run at Dwyane Wade while he's at his youth basketball camp.

9:40 a.m. - Get to Wade's camp, bypass reporters waiting on ground floor and proceed upstairs to gym area where Wade is meeting with relatives and friends. Politely asked to leave, since other reporters have already been told to go downstairs.

9:52 a.m. - Run into two Wade family sources who confirm that he's coming back - and that Bosh is joining him. They believe Bosh might be headed to Miami later Wednesday for a potential press conference. Details still sketchy.

10:01 a.m. - After conversation, posts Twitter update with the independent confirmation needed to give legs to our local story. The Heat has its men. At least two of them. Call Herald editor Jorge Rojas and dictate what I've got. Reach out to two teams that have been courting Bosh to see if they've heard the same thing. Positive response from one, negative from the other.

10:30 a.m. - The wait for Wade begins. First camp session nearing an end. Figuring Wade will talk to assembled reporters soon. Figured Wrong.

11:30 a.m. - Figuring Wade probably has plotted a back-way escape from the gym and wouldn't dare walk through the massive lobby to get to his vehicle. So the search for rear exits begins. Locate Wade's white luxury vehicle in the Arena's loading dock area, right beside ESPN trucks.

11:48 a.m. - Something's fishy. Then rumors start to fly that ESPN will be broadcasting an announcement from Wade's camp at 12:30. Assured by league sources that it's all legit and that the only hangup on Bosh's end is whether Toronto is going to accept Miami's sign-and-trade offer so dude can get his extra $30 million on a six-year contract, instead of $96 million over five years.

11:59 a.m. - Female campus staffers and food service employees taking booty-pose photos next to Wade's super-clean white Maybach. Even Wade's whip proves to be the ultimate chick magnate, I guess.

12:05 p.m. - Campus security escorts media members waiting in the gym lobby out of the facility, with ESPN officials moving in to set up for the exclusive interview with Wade. Media members then asked to leave the campus completely. Meanwhile, I'm around back in the loading dock stairway, staking out Wade's car and trying to blend in with either students or lawn maintenance crew.

12:15 p.m. - Get call from Cleveland source close to LeBron, asking is Miami ready for the LeBron circus to come to Miami now that Bosh and Wade are committed. Also hear that Bron might be making plans to fly to South Florida on Wednesday night for dinner with Wade. Tweet that it could be "blockbuster info" or complete "B.S." You know how Twitter is. It's about as reliable as the outer layers of Bron's inner circle.

12:23 p.m. - Get call from Chris Bosh's rep, saying he'd be willing to offer me first local interview after ESPN deal is through. Since I'm getting Bosh, might as well let Wade's crew know I'm out there waiting by his car, so I can talk to him too.

12:30 p.m. - Wade and Bosh interviewed by ESPN, with Wade in gym and Bosh on location in Dallas. Can't tell what's going on because I'm still laying out. But I do hear the ESPN techs being as giddy as freshmen at a college frat party.

12:35 p.m. - Damn. Cell phone's dying. See a Nova student standing nearby and ask if I can use his phone. Tell him I've got Chris Bosh calling in a few minutes and my battery is going out. Turns out, the student is an intern with a local TV station, posing as a student to get past security. Wearing a Heat T-shirt and a backpack, my new partner, Jeff Feibelman, gladly offers his iPhone for the mission. "You mean The Chris Bosh is really going to call my phone?" asks Fiebelman, a lifelong Heat fan. "Come on man, stop kidding."

"Dude," I said. "Just give me your number before we miss the call, before my phone completely dies."

12:37 p.m. - In middle of conversation with Herald photographer, my cell dies. Luckily, moments earlier, I had given Bosh's peeps the number to Jeff's phone. Now, I'm Starsky. He's Hutch.

12:45 p.m. - Bosh calls for exclusive with Miami Herald. Thanks Toronto for developing him into a star player. Talks about decision-making process en route to Miami, says Spoelstra will remain coach and that Pat is determined to go after LeBron now that Bosh and Wade are in tow.

12:58 p.m. - Transcribe Bosh interview on laptop, posts Twitter updates with major quotes from Bosh.

1:20 p.m. - Thank Jeff for his tour of duty, hand the kid back his phone, and head into gym to search for Wade. Jeff has one request. "Can you give me a shoutout in your story?" Not quite. But we'll figure something out. So here you go, Jeff. I owe this kid a lunch somewhere. I've been blessed and lucky.

2:00 p.m. - Catch Wade coming out of luxury suite, where his family and inner circle are now in full force waiting in the hospitality area. Wade steps out to get away for a moment and collects his thoughts. "Glad this part of it is over," Wade said.

2:30 p.m. - Thankfully, there's a Starbucks in this joint. I'm running on fumes. After six updates to the day's online version of the story and countless tweets along the way, it's been an amazing day. The Heat got their men. I did my part to bring you the Herald's version of the biggest story of the day in the NBA. A total team approach.

2:52 p.m. - Check in with a couple of Wade's key peeps on the way out. Thank them for the updates throughout this crazy free agency process.

3:02 p.m. - Head to the parking deck. Thank God Almighty there's no ticket for a parking violation after rushing in there five hours earlier to make sure I wouldn't miss Wade.

3:04 p.m. - With no cell phone service and my computer battery drained, flip on the iPod and hear Ice Cube's 'Today Was A Good Day' lyrics. Fitting. Hit the ignition, and catch the end of The Sports Brothers show on 790 The Ticket on the drive home. That's fam there.

(Updated) 7:33 p.m. - Just got the request from Stephen A. Smith to come on his show Thursday morning. Glad to do it. I might owe that brother an apology for doubting his call on this potential Wade-Bosh-Bron trilogy. And I might not end up being the only one to do so.

In many ways, an amazing day was just coming to an end. Then again, in this 24-hour news cycle, it was just beginning, considering the updates needed to the final version of the story before the day was done.

Like I said, just another day on the Heat beat.

Peace Out.

(For live news, notes and updates on the Heat, follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/wallacesports. To post a question or join our live Heat chat each Thursday from 1-2 p.m., click here.)

Forget the Fourth of July. The First of July is here and the fireworks will soon begin in the biggest free agency market in NBA history.

D.Wade is a free man. LeBron is the most sought-after player on the market. Chris Bosh is tweeting like crazy without saying much of anything definitive.

And the Heat's executive power force of team prez Pat Riley, VP Nick Arison, Heat legend Alonzo Mourning and coach Erik Spoelstra is jetting from coast to coast to meet with the team's top targets.

Before we get any further, let me first recommend that you follow me on twitter, which is the quickest way to get our updates amid the free agency frenzy. Just click the link at the bottom of this post and we're all set.

As we reach the midway point of the first day of free agency, I've got a bunch of hunches after some of the initial developments across the country.

Hunch One - The Heat made one of its first recruiting pitches to Amare Stoudemire out in Los Angeles just after midnight. But we've learned that the sides emerged from the amicable, hour-long session without the Heat offering Amare a contract. That's a clear indication that the Heat, despite its aggressive pursuit of Amare at the February trade deadline, is taking a Bosh-and-see approach in its quest for post help. Bosh tweeted this morning that he received proposals from the Heat, Rockets, Raptors and Bulls. Perhaps there are legitimate concerns about Amare's knees. Remember, we reported last month about his visit to a South Miami clinic to have his knees examined. That clinic, coincidentally, is also used by the Heat.

Hunch Two - My feeling all along has been that LeBron James would find it too hard to walk away from Cleveland when all is said and done. The imminent hiring of Byron Scott might be the best thing the Cavs could have done to help convince James to stay. Not only does Scott bring credentials as a former championship player, he also has led the Nets and Hornets as far into the playoffs as those franchises have been in a long, long time. One key nugget to keep in mind. Scott was really, really close to Chris Paul as coach of the Hornets. James and Paul are good buddies. This might encourage Paul to push for a trade to Cleveland, which has a few attractive pieces to send back to New Orleans for its troubles. Mo Williams (native of nearby Jackson, Miss.) and All-Star forward Antawn Jamison could be a start.

Hunch Three - If Stoudemire somehow walks away from Phoenix, look for the Suns to consider pushing for Carlos Boozer as a potential replacement. Boozer could easily fill the production void Amare would leave behind. Not sure how much salary-cap space the Suns would have to make room for Boozer. But it's clear that Boozer would be a much cheaper option than Stoudemire - although you'd get the same production. We learned in February that the Suns were willing to take Boozer from Utah in that failed three-way trade with Miami that would have sent Stoudemire to the Heat. Utah backed off because it didn't like the pieces it would have gotten back for parting with Boozer at the time.

Hunch Four - As hard as it might be for Dwyane Wade to open his mind up to considering other options in free agency than returning to the Heat, he's going to seriously listen to the Bulls, Nets and Knicks. Those teams could offer as much or more for him than Miami could in terms of surrounding him with impressive talent. The Heat has a clean slate as far as its roster is concerned. But the Bulls have Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng along with their cap space. The Nets have Devin Harris and Brook Lopez in addition to space for two max stars. On paper, Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers don't really stack up to those other parts. New York simply has cap space and Broadway appeal. But Wade has tremendous respect for Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, who was on the coaching staff of Team USA's gold medal squad in Beijing.

Well, those are my hunches for now. More to come as the madness continues.

(For live news, notes and updates on the Heat, follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/wallacesports. To post a question or join our live Heat chat each Thursday from 1-2 p.m., click here.)

Despite the controversy and trade rumors that continuously swirl around Michael Beasley, the polarizing former No. 2 overall draft pick doesn't sound as if he's played his final game with the Miami Heat just yet.

Speaking at an adidas promotional event in Spain, Beasley was quoted in a Hoopshype blog posted Monday morning saying he hopes to stay in Miami and plans to play in next month's summer league.

The Heat will send a team of new draft picks (center Dexter Pittman, forward Jarvis Varnado) last year's draft pick (guard Pat Beverley) and lower-level free agents who seek invitations to October training camp.

In many ways, Beasley is playing for his Heat future at the present, too.

Having said privately for months that he hopes to get one more shot to make things right with the Heat after two seasons of inconsistent play, locker room immaturity and uncomfortable off-the-court issues, Beasley's willing to take an unusual step to prove it.

"I'm going to play summer league. Pretty much don't stop," Beasley said in the interview from Spain. "I haven't had any vacation. I just went straight to working out. I feel I can do a lot to improve my game to help the team and take us further in the playoffs."

The Heat confirmed Monday that Beasley wasn't just blowing smoke. He was one of a handful of players team president Pat Riley has been trying to encourage to play in the Las Vegas Summer League, with the Heat opening its five-game schedule July 11.

Beasley and Chalmers are the only Heat players under guaranteed contracts for the 2010-11 season. But that is expected to soon change with free agency starting on Thursday. Miami had also been trying to get Daequan Cook to play summer league before he was traded last week along with the No. 18 pick in the draft to help create more salary-cap space.

Beasley and Chalmers remain development projects entering their third seasons in the league. So summer league is probably a good thing for both. Beasley has average about 15 points and 7 boards through his first two seasons, but still has several more levels to go before he becomes the player the Heat needs.

The problem is, he doesn't have long to get there - and he might have to go elsewhere to finally arrive. If you take Riley at his word last week, when he said Beasley wouldn't be dealt just to create more cap space and that the team hopes to build around him, there is reason for Beasley supporters to be encouraged.

But in times like these - amid the free agency frenzy and desperate push to rebuild teams into title contenders on the fly - it's tough to believe anything anyone says. Riley included. Beasley, too.

For the record, I'm not one who believes the Heat is just plain better off without Beasley. Right now, he's just not the No. 2 option to Dwyane Wade that many hoped he would be as soon as he stepped into the league. But I see no problem sliding Beasley to a third, fourth or fifth option on the team.

If Mike Beasley is your fourth-best player after a free agency overhaul, then that says something about the depth of your team. In that role, he's essentially the Heat's mid-level option, with that $5 million salary he's due next season. Look at it like that, and Beas can be seen as a bargain and much less a burden.

For his part, Beasley hopes to join a Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudemire next season in Miami - not be replaced by one of them. He also believes Wade will stay in Miami because Wade "already has laid his foundation."

Regarding his own personal development, Beasley suggested his is often overly criticized, although he admits to making plenty of mistakes.

"Everybody makes mistakes and I feel like sometimes mine have been magnified," Beasley, 21, said. "I feel like I'm expected to act older than what I am. I'm not saying that's a reason to do some of the things I've done. But, you know, I'm like everybody else. I make mistakes, learn from them and move on."

Sort through the public support of Beasley and the recent behind-the-scenes bartering for his services on the trade front, and the question still lingers.

Mike Beasley apparently is headed to Vegas.

But what are the odds his next game will be as a member of the Miami Heat - even with the watered down version that gathers in the coming days for mini-camp in advance of summer league play?

(For live news, notes and updates on the Heat, follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/wallacesports. To post a question or join our live Heat chat each Thursday from 1-2 p.m., click here.)

After its decision to move out of the first round of Thursday's NBA Draft, the Heat is now faced with quite a dilemma.

How, just how, will the Heat entertain its fans at tonight's draft party at AmericanAirlines Arena for the first two-plus hours of activity in the first round.

From what I gather, the Heat has no plans to cancel that party - one that will double as a WeWantWade revival, complete with T-shirt tosses, prize giveaways and a chance to make a personalized video tribute that could be sent to Wade among the efforts to get him to re-sign when free agency opens July 1.

Wednesday's trade that sent Daequan Cook and the No. 18 overall pick to Oklahoma City for the 32nd pick in the second round was a win-win for both teams - despite how lopsided it might appear on the surface.

Miami gets the additional cap space it covets by parting with Cook's $2.1 million salary for next season as well as the $1.2 million the Heat would have had to guarantee the 18th pick of the draft. So that's an additional $3.3 million that can go toward the Bosh-Boozer-Amare-Johnson-Gay free agency fund.

The Heat could add another $900,000 to that fund if Joel Anthony decides to opt out of his contract, with a decision on that clause due today from the shot-blocking center. And Michael Beasley and James Jones also remain in play for potential draft-day trades. Look for Memphis, Oklahoma City, Portland, Sacramento and Washington to be among the more active teams that could end up partnering with the Heat in some sort of transaction.

So in essence, the draft continues to be what it was always meant to be for the Heat: A means by which to enhance its flexibility in free agency.

And don't think the dealing is done just because Dae-Dae had departed.

Pat Riley and Co. will make at least one more trade before the day is done - even if only to part with one of the now four second-round picks it has at Nos. 32, 41, 42 and 48. The Heat still has a few targets within its reach early in the second round.

Oklahoma State's James Anderson, the Big 12's leading scorer last season and Washington catalyst Quincy Pondexter could be had in that range if the Heat looks to get help on the perimeter.

Maryland's Greivis Vasquez and Nevada's Armon Johnson could be there between the 30th and 42nd pick if Miami is in the mood for a point guard project.

And although VCU's Larry Sanders, FSU's Solomon Alabi and Marshall's Hassan Whiteside should be long gone by the second round, the likes of Tulsa's Jerome Jordan and Texas' Dexter Pittman might still be on the board under the category of Big Man Help.

So stay tuned. A busy week for the Heat will likely get even busier as the day unfolds. Miami is known for its late-arriving crowds for Heat games.

For once, there's actually a legitimate reason to show up a bit fashionably late for tonight's party. 

(For live news, notes and updates on the Heat, follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/wallacesports. To post a question or join our live Heat chat each Thursday from 1-2 p.m., click here.)

While the main dish - or dishes - won't begin to arrive for another couple of weeks after the July 1 start of free agency, today starts what could prove to be the next most important week of the Heat's offseason.

It's not quite "Feast Week" just yet for the Heat. That will only come once signatures from Dwyane Wade and the likes of Amare Stoudemire, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer or Joe Johnson start rolling in.

But this week more than any other could very well set the table for the offseason makeover in Miami. It's been nearly two months since the Heat's season ended in that five-game series loss to Boston in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

That means you've had to endure eight weeks of sometimes senseless speculation, blogs, chats, Q&As, talking heads, tweeting hands and a lot of other gibberish from those who insist they're in the know. But the truth is, none of us are any better informed about what's about to go down in the next few days/weeks than we were when the Heat's offseason began that dreadful night in Boston.

LeBron seems to be no closer - or farther away - from making a commitment to Cleveland.

Amare is still no closer to casting his lot with Phoenix as he gets some R&R in Miami.

Bosh has gone from Miami to Houston to Dallas to Los Angeles (Lakers) to Chicago and now is supposedly on his way to Cleveland to join LeBron if the latest ramblings are to be believed. But you won't hear that from Bosh because he's tweeting on everything except his free agency.

And Dwyane is, well, still Dwyane. And that's good for Heat fans because he's the only marquee free agent who repeatedly expresses his desire to remain with his current team.

But first, there's some other business to get to this week before the madness begins in less than 10 days.

RIO RE-UPPED: The Heat got a headstart on handling its end-of-June personnel matters when it picked up the $850,000 option on guard Mario Chalmers over the weekend for the 2010-11 season. But the move probably raises more questions than it answers, although it was essentially a formality that Mario was going to be back in tow. Carlos Arroyo, who finished the season as the starter and is a free agent hoping to return, could be the odd man out. Pat Beverley, last season's second-round pick, will also be playing for a potential roster spot when he auditions with the Heat's summer league team in Las Vegas next month. And the Heat also has been looking hard at guards in the draft, where the team has four picks. Mario is either the intended starter at the point or the backup, which likely leaves only two PG spots available for next season. It's a position that must remain a priority in free agency for this team to avoid the merry-go-round that settled absolutely nothing last season. 

JOEL'S JUGGLE: Heat center Joel Anthony has until Thursday, the day of the draft, to decide whether to pick up his roughly $900,000 option for next season or to opt out of his contract to enter free agency. From all indications, Joel and agent Mike Higgins have struggled with the decision. But I'm told that the shot-blocking specialist is leaning toward opting out, a move the Heat expects. At a time when other minor free agents have decided to take advantage of job security and bypassed the opt-out clauses, Anthony is in a situation where he really doesn't have much to lose. If he opts out, the Heat would have to extend him a $1.1 million qualifying offer to have the right to match any outside offers to retain Anthony. If the Heat doesn't extend the qualifying offer, Anthony is free to go anywhere and get the most money he can get. In that event, it's not likely that he would receive much more than what he'd make next season if he simply picked up his option to return to Miami. And if all else fails, there's a good chance Miami would gladly take him back at the end of the summer at the salary number it was intending to pay Anthony for next season anyway. So in many ways, Joel could be in a no-lose situation, which is the reason why he'd opt out.

DRAFT (OR)DEAL: The bigger question facing the Heat entering Thursday's NBA draft isn't whether there's a bigger need, with the No. 18 pick, at point guard, swingman or center. Pat Riley and his staff have certainly kicked plenty of tires along the evaluation process. What the Heat is debating is whether anyone at No. 18 is worth eating up the $1.2 million in salary-cap space next season that could be used to potentially sweeten a deal for Joe Johnson or Carlos Boozer in free agency next month. Max guys are going to get max money on the free agency market. But for those deemed worthy of less-than-max money will be looking for as much as they can get. And an extra $1.2 million goes a long way at the Heat's negotiating table when factoring in other benefits such as no state income tax. Considering Riley's fetish for 7-footers, my hunch is the Heat keeps the pick, goes big at the draft and takes a shot at the likes Hassan Whiteside or Solomon Alabi. If there's buyer's remorse, the Heat could still package the pick in a July trade.

TRADE FRONT: And speaking of trades, don't read too much into Michael Beasley's whispers to a former Kansas State teammate in which he suggests he would have stayed in college four years. That's B.S. Mike hasn't stayed anywhere in his life for four years, let alone any particular school. And there's no way he'd go back and pass up the money he's guaranteed to make as the No. 2 overall pick in 2008. This is the same Beas who once said he refused to read a book coach Erik Spoelstra assigned to him because, "There's a reason I left college early, coach." Having said that, NBA life with the Heat hasn't always been enjoyable for Beasley. Adult life and the game hasn't come as easy for him at this level. Still, he's only 21 and has a world of talent and untapped potential. The same qualities that make Mike adorable to cover are also the traits that make him a headache to coach and manage sometimes. This week opens a lively trade window in which Beas could be dealt to create more cap space or to acquire veteran help at a position of need. Although Beasley has returned to Miami for workouts and discussions with Heat officials, he's been given no assurances he won't be dealt. At this point, I'm told Beasley is even bracing for a trade, although he's privately insisting he wants to make it work in Miami and doesn't want Riley to give up on him just yet.

FREE AGENT WATCH: By now, you know all of the big names: James. Wade. Boozer. Amare. Bosh. Dirk. Johnson. But if you look a bit deeper into the free agency pool, there are a number of intriguing prospects that could be added to complement a marquee addition. For the Heat, that could mean looking for mid-level type bargain that would come after Wade and a second max free agent are signed. Among those the Heat could find in the $3-6 million range is former Florida swingman Mike Miller. Miami has been interested before, when Miller was in Memphis. He brings the kind of shooting, ball-handling and scoring on the wing that would fit well alongside Dwyane Wade. There are questions about defense, always have been. But the Heat loses more games because of a lack of fire-power than it does because of defensive shortcomings. Even in a down year with the Wizards last season, Miller still averaged 11 points, six rebounds and four assists while shooting better than 50 percent from the field and 48 from 3-point range.

(For live news, notes and updates on the Heat, follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/wallacesports. To post a question or join our live Heat chat each Thursday from 1-2 p.m., click here.)

Clearly, the gesture was genuine.

No one can truly question how much the Heat appreciates Udonis Haslem and how much he's done with and for the organization these past seven years.

So, on Haslem's 30th birthday Wednesday, the only NBA franchise he's ever known showed up on his Southwest Ranches sprawling lawn to surprise him with a birthday bash.

Clearly, Pat Riley is going above and beyond when it comes to showing the love for the two most-tenured players on the team. Earlier this week, the Heat unveiled a billboard near Dwyane Wade's North Bay Village residence that was designed like a basketball contract.

Both Wade and Haslem are free agents. But whereas the Heat has every intension and dime of salary-cap space it needs to offer Wade a six-year, $125 million contract on July 1 as its top free-agency priority, Haslem falls a bit down Pat Riley's to-do list.

Yet the public showing of affection and appreciation on Wednesday went a long way in showing Haslem that he's really wanted here. The question is: Can the Heat afford to keep him? Better yet, is Haslem truly willing to take a paycut from the $7 million he earned this season to come back?

With all of the family demands, including taking care of his cancer-stricken mother, Haslem has said his decision this summer is based on being able to supply his family's needs long-term as much as it is finding the right fit on the the court.

This is likely the last relatively lucrative contract Haslem will sign in his career.

And if the Heat truly wants to do what it takes to bring him back, it could affect several other decisions. If bringing back Haslem is a priority, then there's a concrete chance that Michael Beasley is on the way out.

If re-signing Haslem to a respectable deal is truly the goal, then, barring sign-and-trade scenarios with other players on the roster, it would also eat into significant salary-cap space believed to be earmarked to attract the likes of Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer or Joe Johnson.

The plan of action is crystal clear with Wade, the only other contributor remaining from that 2006 title team.

But the plan remains cloudy when it comes to Haslem and the Heat, despite the clear skies that hovered above all of the hoopla at UD's home Wednesday on one of the classiest days in the franchise's history.

"I never knew so many people cared," Haslem said Wednesday. "In my 30 years, this is the best birthday I have ever had. Who would want to go anywhere else with an organization like this."

Sincerely recruiting Haslem is one thing. Honestly being willing and able to do what it takes to sign him is another challenge completely.

(For live news, notes and updates on the Heat, follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/wallacesports. To post a question or join our live Heat chat each Thursday from 1-2 p.m., click here.)

Feeling a bit better about the Miami Heat these days?

You probably should. Judging by the way the Eastern Conference playoffs are playing out, there's plenty of reason to feel a bit better than you did when the Heat's season crashed and burned in Boston three weeks ago.

That same Celtics team that pushed past the Heat with a 4-1 series victory has since caused the so-called King's collapse in Cleveland and has the Magic in the midst of a disappearing act via a 2-0 deficit in the conference finals.

Now while it's still a bit too soon to jump to any conclusions, it's OK to leap to an assumption.

So here's one: the Heat probably isn't as far away from competing with the conference's elite in the East as it seemed not so long ago.

Boston's run through the playoffs - after finishing the second half of the season with a .500 record - has proved at least two things so far.

One, only a Kevin Garnett knee injury last season will have prevented the Celtics from making three straight trips to the NBA Finals when it's all said and done this season.

And two, Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr. is the single greatest player the Celtics have faced over the past three seasons. And that includes the 2008 team that defeated Kobe Bryant in the Finals and the 2010 squad that humbled and humiliated two-time league MVP LeBron James in the previous round.

No, there are no moral victories when it comes to basketball at this level. You either have the talent, teamwork, coaching and execution to get it done. Or you don't.

And clearly, the Heat didn't have enough of those elements to get it done during its first-round series loss to Boston this season. But when factoring in how things have played out since then, there should be a bit more appreciation and perspective when it comes to what Wade is, has been and should continue to be.

He might never win an MVP. But it should be obvious that he is the hardest-working man in the NBA.

You could roll out a number of "ifs" in the aftermath of Miami's postseason demise.

If Jermaine O'Neal could have given the Heat more in the postseason than 1.1 point per million earned.

If Michael Beasley could have produced at the same rate during games as he pouted afterward.

If Quentin Richardson's biggest contribution was something other than using his face to punch the heck out of Kevin Garnett's elbow to land that suspension for K.G.

If coach Erik Spoelstra would have just kept Yakhouba Diawara on the bench in that final regular season game. Instead Khoubs was allowed to express his frustration with the rotation by banking in that three-pointer that doomed the Heat into a first-round series against Boston instead of Atlanta.

If, if, if.

But you know what they ultimately say about "ifs." If if was a fifth of your favorite adult beverage, we'd all blow three times the legal limit if stopped on the drive home.

But here's one "if" that should be a sobering reality.

If Wade had just a bit more help - not even a major roster makeover around him, just a bit more help - what might have become of the Heat in that first-round series against clearly the best team in the East?

Perhaps the Heat would have held onto that 14-point third-quarter lead in Game 1 at Boston and returned home with a 1-1 series split.

Perhaps Wade would have relied more on a trusted and proven sidekick down the stretch in Game 3 instead of trying to do everything on a bad leg that eventually gave out moments before Paul Pierce's buzzer-beating jumper.

You saw what Wade was able to do in Game 4. So right there, not even two full quarters of basketball were the difference between the Heat being up 3-1 to being down by that much against the Boston bullies.

As it is, Wade averaged 33 points - his second-highest average in any postseason series, and shot his best playoff percentage against any opponent in the Boston series.

What I'm saying is, in hindsight, Miami played these Celtics as good - if not better - than any team they've faced so far in these playoffs.

So think about that as the Heat moves forward into this offseason makeover process.

As long as Wade re-signs as expected, Miami might not be a home run (Wade, plus two max free agents)  away from getting back to a championship level.

Even if Pat Riley were to swing and miss at a free-agent priority or two (LeBron and Bosh or Amare), he could still hit a double (Felton/Bosh or Boozer/Johnson) and essentially erase the gap between the Heat and the so-called upper-echelon in the East.

Looking back about three weeks ago, you simply felt for Miami.

But looking forward, considering what's transpired since, there's reason to feel a bit better about the Heat.

(For live news, notes and updates on the Heat, follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/wallacesports. To post a question or join our live Heat chat each Thursday from 1-2 p.m., click here.)