MIAMI - As with any championship team, there is already sentiment
around the Miami Heat to bring the entire roster back for next
season's title defense.

But that hardly ever happens, in any sport, and center Shaquille O'Neal
knows change is inevitable for the Heat, too.

"Everybody's going to take care of their individual business," O'Neal
said. "Everybody's going to do what's best for themselves and their
families. We'd like to come back and get one more run at it, but all
the other teams are reloading for us, so we also have to reload too."

The championship trophy is leaving Sunday with Heat owner Micky Arison
for a whirlwind around-the-world tour, an 18,000-mile, three-continent
trip from South Florida to Italy, Hong Kong and China.

By the time the hardware gets back home, some players who helped
capture it may be gone.

Making a trade to acquire a pick in Wednesday's draft - the Heat
currently don't have any selections - is a possibility. James Posey,
who hit so many big shots for the Heat in the playoffs and was a
defensive spark as well, may decide to become a free agent, although
that wouldn't necessarily preclude him from returning.

The Alonzo Mourning retirement watch is on. Shandon Anderson's contract
has expired. Jason Kapono's option year may not be picked up.

Welcome to another offseason, where even the champions have some tough
choices to make.

"We did what we had to do with this group of guys and over the next
couple of days, week, two weeks, three weeks, we'll discuss the team,"
Heat coach Pat Riley said. "Not only do we have to make some decisions,
we have some players who have to make some decisions. And then we'll go
from there."

One easy decision - the Heat hope, anyway - is getting NBA finals
MVP Dwyane Wade to sign a five- or six-year extension that he'll be
eligible for after July 1. It figures to be worth at least $75 million,
and there's every indication the deal could get done fairly quickly.

Wade said he isn't even thinking about the extension, saying his agent
Henry Thomas will handle the talks with the Heat.

"I'm excited about my opportunity, my future in Miami and the NBA,"
Wade said. "So I'm sure that it will happen sooner than later."

But even before that paperwork can be signed, the Heat will turn their
attention toward the draft - even though, as of now, they don't have
a pick.

The Heat would have had the 26th and 56th selections in Wednesday's
draft; the 26th now belongs to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of
the deal that brought O'Neal here two summers ago, the 56th is owned by
the Toronto Raptors.

Still, that doesn't mean Riley and front office are taking the night
off.

"Whether or not we can get a pick, we'll try, and maybe invest in a
pick if the player is warranted. We would do that," Riley said. "While
we don't have a player to pick in the first or second round, we're
going to have a draft and if something happens during the course of the
draft and we can pull a trigger, we'll do it."

Riley's offseason plan a year ago was to surround O'Neal with
versatility, experience and talent. So he brought in Posey, Antoine
Walker, Jason Williams and Gary Payton - and the net result was a
championship.

The philosophy isn't going to deviate much heading into next season,
Riley said, although younger players like Wayne Simien, Dorell Wright
and Earl Barron may find themselves with bigger roles in the Heat's
title defense.

"I want to incorporate youth into the rotation, but I don't want to
incorporate youth into the rotation at the expense of Shaquille not
having everything that he needs to win," Riley said. "So you've got to
put talent and experience around him."

Do that, O'Neal said, and good things will continue to happen.

Asked how many more NBA titles the Heat can win in coming years, O'Neal
didn't hesitate.

"I've got four more years left," O'Neal said. "I think we can get two
out of four. At worst."

Baron is young, and 7-1, he is either the draft trade trigger, if we are
not using Wright, we need the solid point guard, or the Heat's future
after Shaq.

Doliac got valuable playing minutes during the regular season, spelling
Shaq, but we are carrying four centers - one who isn't playing, one who
gives us 6-8 minutes a game, but is a Miami legend, Zo.

Although he didn't play much, Riley doesn't play youngsters usually, he
also doesn't trade them much. Baron was great in his practice role of
playing Haslem as Dirk Nowitski......very valuable player either way.

Kopono's contract probably won't get picked back up. James Posey is in
the driver's seat.I would keep him, he was great spelling Udonis Haslem
against Dirk Nowitski, and got hot at the right time knocking down 3's.
Posey stays another year, until Simien is ready to spell Udonis.

Antoine Walker? Tough decision on him, also a guy who can walk, but
doubt if anybody wants to pick up $6.4 million for his services. Walker,
I think, is trade bait. A less than 40% 3-point shooter, he did have a
great series. Tough choice here.

If Shaq is here, Zo is here. You re-sign him for the veteran's minimum,
Zo knows he is going no place, and with the money he got from New
Jersey, he doesn't need anything.

The Heat can afford Zo at that price, even if only playing 6-10 minutes
a game, and make Doliac expendable, if Riley decides to use Baron.

Gary Payton has his ring, two great pressure shots in the series saves
two games, but I think he is gone. Retirement, thanx, congratulations on
finally winning a title - see you on the podium at the Hall Of Fame
induction ceremony, don't wear that Laker jersey.

Dwayne Wade's resigning is a no-brainer, the kid isn't worried, as long
as Shaq is here, and he doesn't develop a Kobe attitude (which I doubt),
Miami is set with this star for his career.

We gave up some great talent in the Shaq deal, the one I didn't like
losing was Rasaul Butler, fine defensive player, and a great clutch
shot, would like to see him back.

Simien is a power forward, to spell Udonis Haslem, who if it wasn't for
Shaq and Wade, would be the team's MVP. Udonis is a younger version of
the tireless, strong, rugged Brian Grant, without all the injuries and
bad knees. An absolute must keep - just needs to work on his composure
on the court.

Wright may be the point guard the Heat are looking for, but the only
way we find that out is if Pat Riley (who we don't know is returning
himself or not), plays him regularly during the season to spell Jason
Williams, also a must keep.

Shaq, Zo, Wade, Haslem, Posey, Williams, Baron, Wright, Doliac (if they
don't trade him), that's the nucleus. Walker? Just that a question mark,
with Payton going.

Heat have some decision. Shaq wasn't the dominating force in the finals,
or the semi-finals for that matter, Dwayne Wade was. But Shaq is a guy
you must contain to prevent Miami from repeating. If you mug him, like
Dallas did, everyone else gets open.

I think Riley starts using his youngsters, Wright, Simien and Baron, and
keeps Posey, Doliac and Williams, dropping Kapono, who doesn't have the
defensive skills.

Antoine Walker? A frustrating player, but too much of a veteran to
dismiss lightly, like Posey. Shaq likes the vets around him.'

Wonder what type of deal the Heat would have to make to get Prince away
from the Celtics???......Stan