SALT LAKE CITY -- The Miami Heat has decided to fold when it comes to card games and gambling on team flights.
After initially declaring the move to ban gambling unnecessary, gambling was off limits on the Heat's flight from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City.
The Heat switched gears and instituted the team policy in the wake of developments that led to the league's indefinite suspension of Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas. A feud between Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton over a card game aboard a team flight last month escalated when both players reportedly brandished guns at the team's arena days later.
The New Jersey Nets were the first team to announce a gambling ban on flights in the aftermath of the Wizards' incident. The NBA is contemplating a league-wide policy.
``We understand what went on in Washington was a serious and unfortunate issue,'' Heat co-captain Udonis Haslem said before Monday's game against Utah. ``We don't have those type of guys here and don't have to worry about what happened. But you have to respect the decision.''
Haslem said poker is the most popular game on team flights. But he said it never gets out of hand.
The timing of the new in-house rule could present a challenge to the Heat, which is in the middle of a season-long, six-game trip. There are stops remaining at Golden State, Houston and Oklahoma City before Saturday's overnight flight home.
That means plenty of free time. Haslem said players would have to find something else to do .
``I don't know how to play [poker] for free,'' Haslem joked. ``I don't know that game. Nope. But we'll deal with it and obviously do whatever is necessary until this blows over.''
ON THE MOVE
The Sacramento Kings no longer might be a potential trade partner as Miami tries to dump about $2.5 million in salary to avoid the NBA luxury tax.
The Kings instead helped the New Orleans Hornets reduce their tax burden in a trade Monday that sent Hilton Armstrong and his $2.8 million salary to Sacramento for a conditional draft pick.
The Heat has had preliminary talks with Sacramento, New Jersey, Memphis, Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Clippers about trades.
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