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.