Parker’s Role On Heat Being Evaluated

Miami Heat guard Smush Parker returned to the team on Friday and according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, a team spokesman said that Parker, who has been on the inactive list due to an altercation with a female parking valet a month ago, was not going to be present at the Orlando game played tonight and it is not certain if Parker will ever play again for the Heat.

Heat coach Pat Riley said that the team has been shopping Parker around with no success.? Riley also said if they cannot trade him then they’ll eventually have to play him.? Time isn’t exactly on Miami’s side as they have no true point guards to use; Jason Williams and Chris Quinn are dealing with injuries so in a sense, Parker has that card up his sleeve.?

So far it has been a “win-win” situation for Parker as he is being paid despite being inactive.? Also - under NBA rules, a team can put players on the inactive list for any reason; the Heat have 15 players on their roster but can only keep 12 in uniform.? Parker, coincidentally, has a $2.4 million option for next season - an option that the Heat will not pick up.