The Miami Herald is reporting that the Miami Heat and free agent guard Rod Strickland are still at length in negotiations about a new contract, with Pat Riley adding that Miami's search for a veteran point guard might stretch into September.

According to an official close to the situation, the Heat wants Strickland to accept a one-year, $1.1 million offer, while Strickland wants a multiyear deal for substantially more.  What does not bode well for Strickland, however, is the fact that the team re-signed backup center Vladimir Stepania to a one-year deal worth more than $1.2 million and are also chasing Sixer Matt Harpring, who is also attracting attention from the Bulls and Jazz.  The Heat have maintained that they will not get into luxury tax waters unless absolutely necessary.

Travis Best and Jeff McInnis are the only other starting-caliber free agent point guards, each of whom the Heat are hoping they can sign for the $1.1 million slot.

Because the Heat wants cap space next summer, Riley said he is ''not comfortable'' signing any player for more than one year.

The Heat also have a backup plan in case they cannot sign Harpring to play small forward, signing Jimmy Jackson for $1 million.

''We feel good at that position,'' Riley said. ``We're very high on Caron and Rasual. At the summer league [in Long Beach, Calif.], Caron's ball-handling impressed me the most. He is very strong in the low post.''