Heat guard Dan Majerle has become a sought-after commodity on the NBA trade market, but the interest is because of his contract rather than his playing skills.

General managers from Eastern and Western conference teams confirmed talk of a three-way deal that involved Majerle only because of the team-option clause in his contract.

The discussed deal, acknowledged by one of the involved parties, would send Majerle to the Bulls, guard Hersey Hawkins from Chicago to Vancouver and guard Doug West from the Grizzlies to the Heat.

The allure for the Bulls would be to then bypass on the option year on Majerle's contract, making him a free agent and affording Chicago additional salary-cap space in the Bulls' quest for high-profile free agents such as Tracy McGrady, Tim Thomas and Grant Hill.

For Vancouver, such a deal would reunite Hawkins with former Bradley University coach Dick Versace, now president of the Grizzlies.

In West, the Heat would get a player it was linked to last summer in a deal for guard Voshon Lenard. West is a quality defender who has battled injuries in recent seasons. Yet such a move would make little sense for the Heat unless it included a draft pick or was expanded to include other players.

An Eastern Conference general manager said Monday teams looking to clear cap space are interested in Majerle because they can unload salaries in dollar-for-dollar deals and then bypass Majerle's $4 million salary for next season. As a free agent, Majerle then could be re-signed by the Heat, but for nowhere near the $4 million he would otherwise earn in the second year of his two-year contract.

Majerle's agent, Kurt Schoeppler, and Heat General Manager Randy Pfund said Majerle's contract becomes guaranteed for next season if he is on an NBA roster Saturday, with neither the guard nor the Heat having to take any prior action.

Coaching carousel

Rod Thorn, recently named president of the Nets, said Heat assistant Jeff Bzdelik is a viable name in the team's coaching search. Although Bzdelik has worked mostly in a scouting capacity with the Heat, it also is possible he would be considered for a bench role as a Nets assistant. ...

Heat assistant coach Marc Iavaroni, considered a potential addition to a Rick Carlisle coaching staff in Indiana or elsewhere, said Monday he is committed to remaining with Pat Riley.

Hamilton hopes

Juwan Howard was among the athletes to participate in the charity golf tournament staged Monday by Heat center Alonzo Mourning. The Wizards forward said he had yet to speak with new Washington coach Leonard Hamilton, but was confident his team could succeed with the former University of Miami leader.

"It's going to be a challenge for him, as well as it's going to be a challenge for us to work together," Howard said. "It's something that's new for him."

Ira Winderman can be reached at iwinderman@sun-sentinel.com.