"Point guard Rafer Alston, a spark plug on the Heat's 2003-04 playoff team, plans to sign with Miami after agreeing to a buyout with New Jersey on Tuesday, a source close to the situation said.

To avoid going further above the NBA's luxury-tax threshold, the Heat traded guard Chris Quinn to New Jersey. Point guard Carlos Arroyo's roster spot also appears at risk; his $1.1 million salary would become guaranteed for the rest of the season if he is not released by Wednesday.

Alston can sign with the Heat on Thursday, assuming he passes through waivers without another team picking up the final year of a contract that is paying him $5.3 million this season. He will sign with the Heat for a prorated portion of the NBA's minimum salary.

Along with Quinn, the Heat will send a 2012 second-round pick to New Jersey in exchange for a conditional 2010 second-rounder. But the Heat will receive that pick only if it's between picks 50 and 60. That's unlikely, because it means the Nets (3-30) would have to finish with one of the NBA's 10 best records."