Shawn Marion's expiring contract could be a valuable trade asset this season, but it remains to be seen exactly what the Heat will do with the forward.

Two team executives told ESPN recently that they expect to see Miami hold onto Marion past the Feb. 19 trade deadline.

Teams might be put off by "renting" Marion and his $17.8 million contract for just a few months.

There is also the assumption that the Heat want to use the resultant salary-cap flexibility from letting Marion's contract expire on a 2009 free agent such as Utah's Carlos Boozer.