Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-sentinel reports: The most ardent pursuer of Heat free-agent forward Anthony Mason appears to be the Milwaukee Bucks. The question for the Heat may be whether it would be willing to participate in a sign-and-trade transaction for Milwaukee backup center Scott Williams.

With only one season remaining on his contract, Williams meets the first of the Heat's requirements, but his $4.6 million salary for the coming season could push the Heat close to the luxury tax. ...

The Heat remains among potential suitors for point guard Rod Strickland, a potential Hardaway replacement who Riley had shied from during the early stages of free agency.

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports: Shortly after Tim Hardaway signed a three-year, $11.3 million contract Wednesday in the Chicago office of agent Henry Thomas, the parting became official. That's when the Heat and Mavericks announced the trade that sent the free-agent point guard to Dallas for a second-round draft choice.

The Heat received the right to claim a second-round draft choice from the Mavericks in either 2003 or 2004, as well as a $3.3 million salary-cap exception that can be used in a trade in the next calendar year.

"This trade accomplished several things," Heat coach Pat Riley said in a statement. "We gave Tim what he wanted by moving him to Dallas, and at the same time we created maneuverability for our franchise."

In other Heat news, The most ardent pursuer of Heat free-agent forward Anthony Mason appears to be the Milwaukee Bucks. The question for the Heat may be whether it would be willing to participate in a sign-and-trade transaction for Milwaukee backup center Scott Williams.

The Heat remains among potential suitors for point guard Rod Strickland, a potential Hardaway replacement who Riley had shied from during the early stages of free agency.

Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel reports: Recent acquisitions by the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Dallas Mavericks have seemingly limited the options for Heat free agents Tim Hardaway and Anthony Mason.

"I suppose it might,'' said Mason's agent Don Cronson about Cleveland stepping away from the Mason talks.

However, Milwaukee coach George Karl and General Manager Ernie Grunfeld, who signed Mason to his first substantial NBA contract with the Knicks in 1991, both remain Mason fans. They can dangle high-jumping forward Darvin Ham, who is under contract for $1.7 million, to the Heat.

"Tim wants to go to situation that overall is going to make him happy,'' said Henry Thomas, Hardaway's Chicago-based agent. "There's the contract part of it, the environment and being a contender, that's a factor, too.''

While rumors persist that the Bucks are pursuing a three-way sign-and-trade arrangement that would land free agent all-star Anthony Mason, nothing appears imminent.  According to league sources, one scenario would have the Miami Heat signing Mason to a long-term contract and sending him to the Bucks in a three-way deal with Cleveland. The Cavaliers would send Chris Gatling to the Heat and the Bucks would move someone, perhaps forward Scott Williams, to Cleveland.

The New York Post reports (bottom of article) that one potential sign-and-trade could land Anthony Mason in Indiana in exchange for Travis Best. Considering Best's $3.25 million salary, Mason would have to take a pay cut unless the Pacers threw in more salaries.

Another deal could land Mason in Milwaukee in exchange for Scott Williams and Darvin Ham.

Chris Tomasson of the Akron Beacon Journal reports that the Cavaliers may be trying to land Milwaukee's Scott Williams in a three-team trade. Cavs general manager Jim Paxson and Lucas previously confirmed that the Cavs are discussing a deal in which forward Chris Gatling would go to Miami in a sign-and-trade, and forward Anthony Mason would go from the Heat in a sign-and-trade to a team neither would name. Paxson and Lucas each had no comment yesterday when asked if Williams completed the puzzle.

Paxson said any such a trade is a ``long shot,'' but that conversations are continuing. Paxson said the Cavs are willing to deal Gatling for a power forward with one year left on his contract, a criterion Williams meets.

The 6-foot-10 Williams, who averaged 6.1 points last season, will make $4.65 million next season. Gatling and Mason would have to sign for similar amounts, or other players would have to be included, for a three-way deal to go through. ``I want a three- or four-year deal,'' said Gatling. When asked if he is looking for a salary in the range of $4 million, Gatling said, ``I'd be a fool not to. Look at what I've done.''