"Needing to upgrade their bench, the Miami Heat have landed a significant addition in veteran Shane Battier.

Battier announced on his Twitter account Thursday that he plans to sign with the Heat when free agency opens on Friday afternoon. A number of contending teams had been courting Battier over the last few days, including the Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs.

The Heat made Battier a priority and met with him in the first hours of Monday, when teams were allowed to speak with players. Battier, who has had a relationship with Heat CEO Mick Arison since he was the team manager while Battier played at Duke, was attracted to the Heat's potential for winning a title."