Samaki Walker might not have been the Los Angeles-based forward at the top of the Heat's shopping list, but the feeling wasn't mutual.

As expected, on Friday the Heat signed the 6-foot-9, 255-pound Walker to a one-year deal believed to be the minimum $876,179 for a seven-year pro.

"We've always looked at Miami for coach [Pat] Riley's style of coaching and play," Walker said at AmericanAirlines Arena. "I'm excited about having an opportunity that's wide open for myself, not just to play, but to prove to the rest of the league that I'm still adamant and hungry about this game."

Walker, 27, the ninth overall draft pick in 1996 by Dallas, has shown flashes of double-double potential, but mostly he has been an underachieving backup dwarfed in the enormous shadows of Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan the past four seasons.

"I see myself as a scorer, but on those type of teams I definitely played a role," Walker said. "That builds character, which I think every player needs. I got a chance to play with some great players, some great veterans as well, and I learned a lot."

Walker's still not sure how he went from starting power forward for most of the Lakers' 2001-02 championship season to O'Neal's seldom-used backup last season.

"I'm still asking that question," said Walker, who posted career-best numbers in 1997-98 for Dallas when he averaged 8.9 points and 7.4 rebounds, but slumped to 4.4 and 5.5, respectively, last year.