Jan. 23--On the day Pat Riley said farewell to retiring center Alonzo Mourning, the Heat president confirmed that his search continues for the next big man to help the team.
Addressing trade speculation in person for the first time in months, Riley said there are roster voids he might address before the Feb. 19 trade deadline. One potential trade gaining traction has Miami sending forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks to the Toronto Raptors for center Jermaine O'Neal.
But Riley would not say whether the teams have exchanged the players' medical records.
"I could have made the same request to five other teams also," Riley said. "I'm not going to admit anything. Let me do our due diligence."
O'Neal, who has been limited by a bruised right knee, continues to believe he will be traded to the Heat. Marion, who has been slowed by an injured left groin, has said the trade talk has been a distraction.
Riley said he would not make a deal that would jeopardize the team's salary cap flexibility in 2010, when Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James are free agents.
"The big picture always trumps the present moment," Riley said. "While the present is important, I'm not going to do something to take away from what we can achieve down the road."
Jamaal Magloire, 6-11, is the only player in the Heat's regular rotation who is taller than 6-9, which often has dictated a small-ball strategy that Riley doesn't embrace.
"I don't believe in that game in the long run," Riley said. "We need to upgrade this team. But you're not going to do it overnight."
WADE: ALL-STAR STARTER
Wade was named an All-Star starter on Thursday for fourth consecutive season, and he will make his fifth appearance in six seasons.
"It's always an unbelievable honor," Wade said. "Last year, it showed a lot for fans to pick me with the season we were going through.
"But just being looked at in that light is something very special."
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