Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports: Heat coach Pat Riley enters Monday's start of the NBA free-agency period with a little pocket change, courtesy of a compromise by owner Micky Arison regarding the luxury tax.

Next summer is when Riley plans to enter the process with some full-fledged spending money.

"That's still our mantra," Riley said. "That's what you push for, to get to a point where you have flexibility."

That means this summer, the top of the free-agent class, the likes of Mike Bibby, Michael Olowokandi and Rashard Lewis, likely will remain beyond the Heat's grasp. Instead, names such as Devean George, Travis Best and Keon Clark could hold the most intrigue.

But unlike last year, when the looming luxury tax rendered the Heat practically impotent during free agency, Riley's team again will be a player this summer, with no preset spending limit from Arison.

"It's an absolutely huge advantage if you're not encumbered," Riley said of the payroll strata that could require a significant penalty payment to the league. "How far we go over? I have no idea. I still have to be able to prove it's worthwhile to my boss."

Miami, like all teams over the cap will have a $3.6-4.8 mid-level exception. They also have a 1.4 million exception and $3.36 million traded-player exception until August 23rd from the Hardaway deal.

All in all, look for Miami to make moves this summer but also save some caproom for the summer of 2003.