"A pair of independent sources have confirmed to the Sun Sentinel that veteran point guard Mike Bibby is leaning toward signing with the Miami Heat in the wake of Monday's buyout from the Washington Wizards.

Bibby, acquired last week from the Atlanta Hawks at the NBA trading deadline, agreed, according to multiple reports, to bypass his $6.2 million 2011-12 salary from the Wizards in order to move to a contender.

Tuesday is the deadline for players to be waived in order to appear on another team's playoff roster. If released by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, players can sign with new teams at any time before the season finale and become playoff eligible.

Bibby, 32, with his playmaking and shooting, would provide the Heat with an instant upgrade over current starting point guard Mario Chalmers, although he would not address the Heat's lack of defensive deterrence at the position.

Among the reasons Bibby was dealt from the Hawks was for the defensive upgrade provided by Kirk Hinrich, who was acquired in return for Bibby.

Bibby must clear the 48-hour NBA waiver cycle, which would leave him free to sign with the Heat by Wednesday night. The Heat next play Thursday night at home against the Orlando Magic.

Bibby is the brother-in-law of Heat guard Eddie House and also is close with Heat forward LeBron James, who spent time with Bibby following last Friday's Heat victory over the Wizards at AmericanAirlines Arena.

In fact, in the wake of Bibby being dealt at last Thursday's NBA trading deadline to the Wizards, Heat guard Dwyane Wade said the Hawks might come to regret the move."