With his strong play this season, there is concern out of miami that forward Udonis Haslem may be pricing himself out of the Heat's market.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that with strong finishes, Haslem could command more than what Miami can pay him, and point guard Damon Jones also could leave the Heat in a difficult spot.

Haslem will be a restricted free agent at the seasons end, and with the Heat already over the cap Miami is unable to give him more than the NBA's average salary -- about $5 million -- for next season. If a team offers Haslem more than that, Miami could not match, unless it gets more than $5 million under the cap, and even trading Eddie Jones will not accomplish that.

''They could lose him,'' the top scout for an Eastern Conference team said. `` Brian Cardinal got the [$5 million cap] exception from Memphis, and I'd much rather have Haslem.''

The good news for Miami is re-signing Haslem would not take any money away from the Heat's $5 million exception, which could be used on a free agent such as Raja Bell, Stromile Swift or Donyell Marshall.

''Haslem is a heck of a player,'' Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. ``It's amazing where he's come from so quickly.''

Jones will decide this summer whether to opt out of his $2.75 million salary next season and seek a lucrative, long-term contract in free agency. If he opts out, Miami would need to re-sign him or another point guard, using that mid-level exception, restricting its ability to improve elsewhere.