Basketball: Miami Heat gives Marks a job security assurance

New Zealander Sean Marks is staying with the Miami Heat.

The National Basketball Association franchise said yesterday that it had no plans to trade him.

Marks, 26, had felt he was in danger of being cut from the squad.

But Miami Heat spokesman Rob Wilson said Marks may have misunderstood the trade process for free agents.

Yesterday was not a day players could be cut, but under the collective bargaining agreement, players such as Marks, who signed as free agents, could now be traded, Wilson said.

"We don't have to make roster cuts. We've got 12 on the active roster and two on the injured list and you're allowed 12 on the active and three on the injured list.

"There are no plans at the moment [to trade Marks] as far I am aware, as long as he plays well and keeps the coach happy."

Helping Marks to stay on court is the fact that star centre Alonzo Mourning continues to be troubled by a kidney disease and forward Brian Grant is out of form.

* The Philadelphia 76ers rolled to a 99-83 victory over the Boston Celtics in the lone NBA game yesterday.

- NZPA