Roster Changes Expected

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">There also likely will be some changes to the roster he put together to shore up some flaws that have been exposed in recent weeks.

The most likely move would be a trade of Michael Doleac, who has been included in trade talks since the preseason. The Heat committed to a four-year deal with Doleac days before the trade for O'Neal became a reality. Had the timing been different, the team probably would have focused its efforts elsewhere.

Now that the team has a healthy Alonzo Mourning and a surplus of frontcourt players, moving Doleac for another perimeter player becomes a priority. High on the Heat's wish list would be a true shooting guard who can back up Wade, or a veteran third point guard who can be relied upon when Williams or Gary Payton is unavailable.

The Heat has considered offers from the Hawks and Nuggets this season, but the Heat will have more options come Friday, when the players who signed contracts during the summer become available for trade.

Although Riley probably will shake things up a bit, he wouldn't want to admit his offseason moves were a mistake, so he'll have to make sure the Walker and Williams acquisitions are successful. There is speculation Riley is interested in acquiring Ron Artest from the Pacers, but he might not be able to put together an intriguing enough offer for the Pacers to bite.

STRATEGIZING

So with his current roster, expect Riley to utilize Walker more often in the post, where he can be effective while taking high-percentage shots as opposed to spending too much time on the perimeter.

As for Williams, Riley likely will encourage his point guard to push the tempo even more, or at least get early offense in the ''go game,'' as Riley calls it. Williams already had become comfortable as the shooter-playmaker he had become alongside Wade, so that probably would be the only adjustment.

Defensively, Van Gundy and Riley shared the same principles. But Van Gundy eventually changed some strategies to accommodate O'Neal, who prefers to stay anchored by the rim rather than help on the pick-and-roll or do much rotating. Riley might ask more of O'Neal.

Of the other players that will remain on the roster, Jason Kapono and Wayne Simien might have seen their last significant playing time. Kapono, who also could be placed on the trading block come Friday, was considered a Van Gundy addition this summer because the coach thought he needed another shooter to complement Wade and O'Neal. However, Kapono's defensive deficiencies could keep him off the floor with Riley at the helm. Simien simply could be the victim of a trimmed-down rotation.</div>

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