MIAMI -- Just because the Heat passed on Missouri forward Doug Smith doesn't mean the search for the elusive power forward has ended.

It may have just begun.

"We're not going to drag our feet," Heat Partner Billy Cunningham said Thursday. "We'll be active all summer in seeing what's out there and what we feel can help the Miami Heat."

Although nearly every one of the Heat's premier players has been mentioned in recent trade rumors, Cunningham said the Heat wouldn't "give up our nucleus."

But Managing Partner Lewis Schaffel said no Heat player is off limits.

"Anybody who wins 24 games and says they have untouchable players is fooling themselves," he said. "If someone is offering Michael Jordan, what are you going to say? No?"

But to fill the Heat's primary need at power forward, the team isn't looking for part-time help.

"We'd like somebody that could play 30 minutes for us," Cunningham said.

Among the names bounced around in recent league-wide trade talk are Indiana's LaSalle Thompson, New York's Charles Oakley, Atlanta's Kevin Willis, Denver's Orlando Woolridge, Philadelphia's Rick Mahorn and New Jersey's Sam Bowie.

"There's a lot of names," Cunningham said. "There's a lot of people out there looking to help themselves and if you're looking for players, we have some that are available."

-- The Heat has made qualifying offers to guards Sherman Douglas and Kevin Edwards, according to Schaffel. Both will become restricted free agents Monday, with the Heat then able to match any outside offers to retain their services... The status of reserve power forward Terry Davis remains uncertain. "We haven't made a decision yet," Schaffel said..

-- One available veteran is center Jack Sikma, who was released by the Bucks.

"You'd have to think about Jack Sikma," Cunningham said.

Schaffel dismissed the possibility. "We're looking long-term," he said.

-- Despite speculation there won't be enough minutes or basketballs for first-round pick Steve Smith, Glen Rice, Willie Burton and Douglas, Heat management considers the situation healthy.

"It means we have to make decisions," Cunningham said.

"Someone's going to step forward," Schaffel said. "Competition brings out the best. Guys have got to be good because there are people knocking on the door."

The addition of Smith may impact the status of players such as Edwards, Bimbo Coles and Keith Askins more than the starters.

-- Director of Player Personnel Stu Inman said second-round pick George Ackles of UNLV "probably" would participate in summer camp in mid-July.

Unlike past summers, there won't be as many job openings, so veteran and rookie free agents may be less likely to accept Miami invitations.

Point guard Ennis Whatley is among the veterans being courted by the Heat and several other NBA teams.

Like past years, Inman said the Heat would welcome players with local connections like Jean Derouillere (Miami Edison and Kansas State) and Dwayne Davis (Florida).

-- Although the draft was considered deep at power forward, Inman said the Heat was close to the bottom of the list with Pete Chilcutt, selected 27th overall by the Kings, and Ackles, selected 29th. "If both of them are gone, we are groping," Inman said... There were a number of guards available to the Heat in the second round, including Myron Brown of Slippery Rock and Rodney Monroe of North Carolina State, "but how could we possibly take a guard? There's no way," Inman said.

-- At the end of an interview with Smith last week, a South Florida reporter said, "Maybe we'll see you down here next week."

"I hope so," Smith replied.

So was Miami his preference?

No, the "dream teams" like the Lakers and Pistons were the choice.

But realistically?

"Here. I was most comfortable during my interview," he said.

FAME, BUT NOT THE GAME

Here are some prominent players who weren't drafted:

Player College

Arlyn Bowers Arkansas

Kevin Bradshaw U.S. International

Terry Brown Kansas

Perry Carter Ohio State

Darrin Chancellor Southern Mississippi

Livingston Chatman Florida

Melvin Cheatum Alabama

John Crotty Virginia

Dwayne Davis Florida

Jean Derouillere Kansas State

Earl Duncan Rutgers

Reggie Hansen Kentucky

Ron Huery Arkansas

Anderson Hunt Nevada-Las Vegas

Fess Irvin James Madison

Keith Jennings East Tenn. State

Jackie Jones Oklahama

Lyndon Jones Indiana

Greg Koubek Duke

Andy Kpedi Illinois

Smokey McCovery Oklahoma

Mike Maddox Kansas

Bobby Martin Pittsburgh

Jason Mathews Pittsburgh

Matt Muehlebach Arizona

Michael Polite Florida State

King Rice North Carolina

Wayne Sims LSU

Brian Shorter Pittsburgh

Walter Watts Utah