Heat coach and president Pat Riley said Wednesday night he has a ``level of interest'' in Iverson, a four-time NBA scoring champion whom the 76ers are trying to trade. However, it's unknown if Miami is actually involved in any serious talks with Philadelphia about making a deal.

``I would be delinquent in my responsibilities if I wasn't interested in Allen Iverson,'' Riley said. ``That's all I'm going to say.

``I'm not going to comment any more. It's like when Shaquille came out there. I was frothing at the mouth. So my level of interest can be gauged on that comment.''

Riley pulled off a blockbuster deal in the summer of 2004, when he obtained Shaquille O'Neal from the Los Angeles Lakers for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom and Brian Grant, plus a draft pick.

If this trade somehow worked out, it would classify as another huge move for the Heat _ who won the NBA title last season, but are off to a 9-12 start this year after losing 99-89 to Phoenix on Wednesday. And there's some in the Miami locker room paying close attention to all the Iverson trade talk.

``He's that guy in the NBA,'' said Heat forward James Posey _ who could be included in any deal that sends Iverson to South Florida. ``He's that all-star who can fill up arenas and things like that.

``Everybody pays attention to that, and until it ends, everybody's going to stay tuned because everybody wants to know where he's going, what team's going to make that move.''

Several deals have been rumoured, but apparently nothing has worked to satisfy either Iverson _ who requested a trade last week _ or the 76ers.

``They're playing the field,'' Riley said. ``That's what they should do.''