Wesley Person is expected to sign a $1.6 million contract with Miami to help bolster the Heat's small forward position, the Miami Herald is reporting.

Person, a sharp shooter with a 41.3% three-point average over his career, beat out free agents Marcus Fizer, Lee Nailon, Kendall Gill, Bryon Russell and Michael Curry.

Miami aggressively courted Toni Kukoc, but he is planning to re-sign with Milwaukee.

Heat management continues to pursue the necessary pieces to create a championship contender with Shaquille O'Neal in the middle.  

The team lost much of its depth and perimeter talent in the trade with Los Angeles to bring O'Neal to Miami.

Person's outside range could keep defenses honest and relieve pressure on the inside.  The idea is that collapsing defensive schemes and double teams on O'Neal in the post could lead to some wide open spot-up looks from beyond the arc.