Heat trim roster to 15 by cutting rookies Padgett, Richards

MIAMI -- The Miami Heat waived center David Padgett and guard Jason Richards on Sunday, getting down to the league's 15-man roster limit for the start of the regular season.

Padgett appeared in three preseason games, averaging 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds. Richards will miss the entire season after tearing knee ligaments while participating in the Heat's offseason program, which means Miami will pay his entire rookie salary of $442,114.

The moves leave Miami with four point guards on the roster, with Mario Chalmers, Chris Quinn, Shaun Livingston and Marcus Banks, who spent much of the preseason playing backup to Dwyane Wade at shooting guard.

Miami opens the season Wednesday at New York.