Around The Rim

Scrapping their plan to convert Larry Hughes into a point guard (he's back to being a swingman), the Warriors have handed the position to 6'3" Gilbert Arenas , a second-round pick. They hope that the experience will help Arenas develop into a solid backup capable of handling either guard spot—and that they finish high enough in the lottery to draft Duke's Jason Williams ....

Another difficult off-season awaits the Heat, which will pay $49 million for Alonzo Mourning , Eddie Jones , Brian Grant , Anthony Carter and LaPhonso Ellis next year. That will leave Pat Riley no more than $6 million to fill out the roster and keep Miami from paying the luxury tax....

Travis Best , a free agent after this season, says he's willing to re-sign with the Bulls and share the point with Jamal Crawford , 22, who last week made a strong return from left ACL surgery just seven months ago....

Shaquille O'Neal is tossing out figures on his next contract. "I don't see myself going past 35," says O'Neal , 30, whose 10-year, $208.4 million deal expires after 2005-06. "Unless they give me 200 for two." By that he means $200 million for two years. "That would be cool, wouldn't it?" Shaq says.