Shawn Marion Wants Extension from Miami Heat

Speaking about his future for the first time, Marion confirmed our earlier report that he ’’definitely’’ would like a contract extension and will have agent Dan Fegan ask the Heat for one this summer — even though Miami’s seemingly in no position to do that because it wants big salary-cap space in 2009. With few teams having cap space, Marion is not expected to opt out of the last year of his deal worth $17.4 million — though he won’t say for sure.

The Heat will tell Marion it values him but that he and Fegan must be reasonable with contract demands. That likely would mean a sizable pay cut, perhaps to the $10 million-a year-range, beginning in 2009-10. [Miami Herald]