Israel Gutierrez of the Palm Beach Post reports: Before he could ever compete for a spot on the Miami Heat roster, forward/center Lari Ketner sustained a season-ending injury Friday while working out at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Ketner, who was entering his third NBA season out of the University of Massachusetts, tore his left Achilles' tendon while running wind sprints on the practice floor.

Mark Bartelstein, Ketner's agent, said the injury was all the more disappointing for his client because Ketner always had dreamed of playing for Pat Riley, and was close to doing just that. Bartelstein declined to say if Ketner already had signed with Miami.

Ketner was expected to compete for a backup center role. Other possible candidates are free-agent center Olden Polynice and forward Vladimir Stepania.

The Heat likely would have to execute a sign-and-trade deal with Utah, using part of their $3.2 million trade exception to acquire Polynice. Polynice averaged 7.8 points and 6.7 rebounds last season.

Stepania, who was with the Nets last season, was in Miami on Thursday and looking to close out a deal. He worked out for the Heat last season before landing in New Jersey.

THOUGH it appears to be nothing more than a vicious rumor, Wisconsin bailbondsmen have, nonetheless, been put on full alert following a report Anthony Mason may soon sign with the Bucks.

MARISSA SILVERA of the Miami Herald reports: Six-foot-nine forward/center Lari Ketner will ``probably sign [today],'' with the Heat according to his agent, Mark Bartelstein.

In other News, Dwight Manley, the agent for Jazz free agent center Olden Polynice, said Thursday afternoon he was still waiting to hear from Heat general manager Randy Pfund. He didn't seem concerned about the possible signing of Ketner.

``That doesn't sound threatening to the situation,'' Manley said. ``I left a message for Randy. It seems like Olden is a perfect fit in Miami.''

The Cleveland Cavaliers said the Heat no longer seems interested in trading its $3.3 million trade exception to the Cavaliers for free agent center Chris Gatling. Without a trade, the most Miami could offer Gatling is $1 million.

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports: In possession of a $2.8 million salary-cap exception after the injury-related retirement of center Luc Longley, the Knicks could emerge as a player in the bidding for Heat free-agent forward Anthony Mason and Cavaliers free-agent forward Chris Gatling, a player the Heat also has studied.

In addition, New York, one of the few teams willing to spend beyond the expected luxury-tax threshold of $54 million in team payroll, also has emerged as a player in the free agency of Warriors center Marc Jackson.

However, Mason's agent, Don Cronson, said Wednesday that the $2.8 million is not enough to satisfy his client, who remains steadfast in his desire to be paid at the level of the $4.5 million mid-level salary-cap exception.

New York's greatest need is in the middle. Jackson would best fill that void, but Golden State, with the right of first refusal, could match a potential $2.8 million Knicks offer.

The Knicks had the opportunity to bid for Mason, Gatling or Jackson with their $4.5 million exception but instead opted to extend that full amount to Weatherspoon.

Israel Gutierrez of the Palm Beach Post reports: Still in need of a big body to play behind Alonzo Mourning, the Miami Heat are close to signing third-year forward/center Lari Ketner.

Ketner worked out in Miami along with Terrance Roberson and Jabari Smith, but Ketner seemed to leave the best impression. He is expected to be in Miami for a physical as early as today and sign soon thereafter. Training camp begins Tuesday.

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports: Heat guard Eddie Jones said Tuesday he is making steady progress from offseason shoulder surgery and will be ready for the start of the season.

Following the repair of a torn left labrum in May, there was thought Jones not only would be kept from contact throughout training camp but also could be sidelined beyond the Oct. 31 regular-season opener.

"I'm doing well," he said after a workout at AmericanAirlines Arena. "I don't know for sure if I'm going to play in the preseason, but it's possible I might."

"I know I will be ready for the regular season," Jones said.

In other Heat news, Loren Meyer, a journeyman center who has spent time with Dallas, Phoenix and Denver, is the latest big man to work with the Heat. A 1995 first-round pick out of Iowa by the Mavericks, Meyer did not play in the NBA last season. ...

Former Heat point guard Eric Murdock recently worked out with the team but was outplayed by undrafted free-agent acquisition Mike James, who outperformed several NBA veterans in earning an invitation to training camp.