There appears to be no shortage of potential destinations for Miami's Smush Parker, who Pat Riley confirmed has been shopped in trades in recent weeks.

Cleveland, Boston, Houston and Golden State are believed to be among the teams the Heat has talked with regarding a deal. Parker has missed the past 18 games since his Nov. 27 altercation with a female valet attendant at a Miami condo.

Smush Parker rejoined the team Friday after being on the inactive list since his Nov. 27 altercation with a valet attendant, who alleged Parker grabbed and twisted her arm in trying to retrieve his keys. Parker didn't play Friday night, and it's unsure if and when he will play.

''I'm going to be very honest with you. We've been trying to trade him so if it doesn't work, he comes back and plays,'' Heat coach Pat Riley said.

``We hope he's been working out. We worked him out before he went home for the holidays. . . . Obviously we're down some point guards, so we're reassessing it.''

Heat center Shaquille O'Neal was not in the listed starting lineup Friday night when Miami hosted the Orlando Magic, one day after getting treatment on his sore hips.

It was O'Neal's first missed start in 30 games this season.

Point guard Jason Williams (sore left knee) also wasn't in the starting lineup although both players were included on the active roster.

Earl Barron made his first career start at center for Miami, and Dwyane Wade was slotted to start at point guard instead of his customary shooting-guard spot.

Heat center Shaquille O'Neal and point guard Jason Williams were listed as day-to-day Thursday after both had nagging injuries checked out by Miami team doctors.

O'Neal got treatment on his achy hips. Tests performed on Williams' sore left knee did not reveal any major problems, and both may be available when the struggling Heat (8-21) host the Orlando Magic on Friday.

Smush Parker has returned to Miami where his agent said the Heat front office has invited the banished guard to rejoin the team.

?(Heat general manager) Randy Pfund called me (Wednesday) and told me that they need Smush back down there,? the agent, Billy Ceisler, said Thursday afternoon.

Parker flew from New York to Miami Thursday afternoon.

Smush Parker has returned to Miami where his agent said the Heat front office has invited the banished guard to rejoin the team.

?(Heat general manager) Randy Pfund called me (Wednesday) and told me that they need Smush back down there,? the agent, Billy Ceisler, said Thursday afternoon.

Parker flew from New York to Miami Thursday afternoon.

President and coach Pat Riley made Parker leave the Heat after an altercation with a valet parking attendant on Nov. 27. Upon signing a two-year, $4.6 million free agent contract over the summer, Parker played just nine games before the exile. He had been working out in New York recently, waiting to learn of Riley?s next move.

Cleveland guard Damon Jones wants to return to the Heat.

"Oh, man, that would be the icing on the cake for me," he said. "Especially with the group of guys that they have now, still, some of the key guys that were there when I spent the best year of my career. It would be special."

Jones was one of the league's leading three-point shooters in 2004-05, his only season with the Heat. He also formed a close bond with center Shaquille O'Neal and guard Dwyane Wade.

Just-fired Chicago Bulls' Coach Scott Skiles will have a job next season, and his team will improve. Miami Heat Coach Pat Riley has become a big fan of Skiles, and the two spent time together at the Coach's Annual Meeting in September. The New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers probably will give him a hard look.

The rumors are starting to get to Heat guard Jason Williams, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.  Williams' name recently was linked to the Houston Rockets.

"The thing about it is how it affects your family," Williams said before scoring nine points in Tuesday's 96-82 loss to the Cavaliers.

With the trading deadline less than two months away, Williams said he can't help feel he's viewed more as an expiring contract than a needed contributor.

"We're like some high-paid prostitutes anyway in this league," he said. "They just use and get rid of us whenever they want."

Williams is in the final year of a contract that pays $8.9 million this season.

"If it happens, it happens," he said.

LeBron James' helpers showed up on Christmas.

James scored 25 points, Drew Gooden 18, Daniel Gibson 16 and Cleveland's defense arrived in time for the holiday, sparking the struggling Cavaliers to a 96-82 win over the Miami Heat on Tuesday.