Israel Gutierrez of the Palm Beach Post reports: Before he could ever compete for a spot on the Miami Heat roster, forward/center Lari Ketner sustained a season-ending injury Friday while working out at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Ketner, who was entering his third NBA season out of the University of Massachusetts, tore his left Achilles' tendon while running wind sprints on the practice floor.

Mark Bartelstein, Ketner's agent, said the injury was all the more disappointing for his client because Ketner always had dreamed of playing for Pat Riley, and was close to doing just that. Bartelstein declined to say if Ketner already had signed with Miami.

Ketner was expected to compete for a backup center role. Other possible candidates are free-agent center Olden Polynice and forward Vladimir Stepania.

The Heat likely would have to execute a sign-and-trade deal with Utah, using part of their $3.2 million trade exception to acquire Polynice. Polynice averaged 7.8 points and 6.7 rebounds last season.

Stepania, who was with the Nets last season, was in Miami on Thursday and looking to close out a deal. He worked out for the Heat last season before landing in New Jersey.