Heat Wolves trade, Walker for Blount, Davis Options

[madisonsmadhouse]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/bask...e.ap/index.html

After a winless preseason, the Heat hope Ricky Davis can get Miami off to a better start in the regular season.
John Gichigi/Getty Images



MIAMI (AP) -- Antoine Walker's turbulent time with the Miami Heat is over.

The Heat traded the three-time All-Star forward to the Minnesota Timberwolves today in a five-player deal that came one day after Miami completed a winless preseason.

Walker, backup center Michael Doleac, oft-injured forward Wayne Simien and a conditional first-round draft pick were sent to Minnesota for former Miami swingman Ricky Davis and center Mark Blount.

The deal gives Minnesota added depth and gives Miami a third scoring option it wanted in Davis. The Heat will try to fit him in alongside Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade -- the 2006 finals MVP who'll miss a few more weeks while recovering from knee and shoulder surgeries.

Walker helped the Heat win the 2006 NBA title but hasn't always had the easiest time dealing with Heat coach Pat Riley's strict conditioning standards.

Walker was briefly suspended last year because his body-fat measurement wasn't within team limits, and he arrived for training camp earlier this month not in the shape Riley wanted.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[ZoomSlowik]

I would think that means that the T-Wolves wanted to clear more playing time for Corey Brewer and Gerald Green.