Heat Sets Its Sights on Grant

Power forward Brian Grant wants to join the Miami Heat, and his agent says the team is negotiating a sign-and-trade deal to acquire him from the Portland Trail Blazers.

The trade also could involve Cleveland Cavalier forward Shawn Kemp, who would go to Portland. In a three-way deal, the Heat would send a package of players to Cleveland.

“We’re talking about a bunch of different scenarios,” agent Mark Bartelstein said Wednesday in Miami. “At this point, Brian feels Miami is the best opportunity for him. He would like to do that, if it can get done.”

Grant, meanwhile, tried to explain to a city that used to love him why he could soon be elsewhere.

“I’ve got teams I’m looking at, but if I didn’t feel I had to be in this position, I wouldn’t be in this position,” Grant told Portland radio station KXJM-FM. “This is my only opportunity to make a move on my terms, because if I stay [and move on Portland’s terms] . . . then I could end up in a place like Cleveland.”

Grant recently rejected a six-year offer worth more than $70 million to stay in Portland.

The Cavaliers are eager to trade Kemp, who will make $11.7 million next season and $21.5 million in 2002-03.

If a trade can’t be worked out, Grant might accept the Heat’s $2.25-million exception, then negotiate a long-term deal with the team beginning next year.

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Reggie Miller re-signed with Indiana for a reported $36 million over three years, probably ensuring that he will end his career as a Pacer.

“He has been part of every big moment that we’ve had here the last 13 years,” club President Donnie Walsh said at a news conference that Miller did not attend.

Miller, who has played more games and scored more points than any player in franchise history, averaged 18.1 points last season.

“You ask any player if they have the opportunity to begin, establish and end a career with one team, I think you would get a majority of votes from players who would love to do that. I have had that opportunity,” Miller, 34, said in a statement released by the team.

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Nate Johnson, an undrafted 6-foot-6 forward from Louisville, signed a free-agent contract with the Lakers.

A four-year starter at Louisville, Johnson averaged a career-high 13.9 points as a senior last season to lead the Cardinals in scoring. In 125 college games, he averaged 12.1 points and 5.2 rebounds.

Johnson played for the Lakers’ summer league team, averaging 7.4 points and 2.8 rebounds.