Stephen F. Holder of the Miami Herald reports that the Heat may be running out of options at point guard. They had Minnesota?s Chauncey Billups on their short list of potential free agent signings, but he has apparently agreed in principal to a contract with the Pistons. Now the Bulls? Travis Best has informed the Heat that he is close to signing with another team.

''Let's just say we have some things cooking that would take us off the market very soon,'' said Forrest King, Best's agent. ``We could have a deal by [July] 17th.''

King confirmed that talks with the Heat are ongoing but they haven?t discussed specifics. Negotiations with other teams have progressed beyond that point. Still, Best believes that the Heat could be a good fit for him. ''We think that, clearly, the best fit for [the Heat] is Travis,'' King said. ``He can run a halfcourt offense, and he can run the break. And he can also create his own shot.''

The Heat are still talking to free agent Rod Strickland who is looking for more than the $1 million veterans minimum. Best is looking for the entire middle-class exception, which is estimated to be about $4.6 million.

With Billups and Best possibly off the list, the Heat's top free agent options -- other than Strickland -- might be Chris Childs and Jeff McInnis. McInnis' agent said last week he planned to speak with the Heat about his client. Childs' agent has been unavailable for comment, and the Heat does not comment on free agency negotiations.