Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports: After bolstering the team's power rotation with Chris Gatling, Heat coach Pat Riley said Saturday he would explore trades for a starting-caliber small forward.

Finding one will be difficult and could take awhile, Riley said.

Although the Heat has a $3.3 million trade exception, Miami is only about $1 million under the luxury-tax threshold. Alonzo Mourning, Brian Grant, Eddie Jones and Eddie House are the Heat's only players who can be traded before Dec. 15.

The Heat's other 11 players were acquired or re-signed as free agents this summer. Those players cannot be traded until Dec. 15 or three months after signing, whichever is later.

Riley said he's strongly considering starting Kendall Gill at small forward. LaPhonso Ellis is also an option.

Small forwards who could be available via trade include Detroit's Corliss Williamson, Orlando's Bo Outlaw, Indiana's Austin Croshere, Cleveland's Wesley Person, the Clippers' Corey Maggette and Golden State's Chris Mills.

Riley said the Heat would not sign free agent swingmen Jim Jackson, Chris Porter, Mario Elie or Johnny Newman.