But that hasn't stopped either from coming back at him this season.

With the Feb. 19 trading deadline approaching and Marion playing on an expiring contract that pays him $17.8 million this season, another round of league speculation has Marion atop the list of players who are likely to be dealt in the coming weeks.

The constant trade talk has reached a boiling point with Marion, who broke his recent silence on the subject to clear the air after the Heat's practice at Toyota Center.

''It's been so much speculation about me getting traded that it's a distraction, man,'' Marion said amid the Heat's preparation for Saturday's game against the Rockets. ``I like my teammates, I like my coaches, I like this organization, I like the city, man. I said what I needed to say. I'm kind of getting tired of it [trade rumors].''

Marion and his agent, Dan Fegan, have denied that Marion wants out of Miami and that they have approached the Heat to specifically request a trade. But neither would say if Marion has sought or obtained assurances from Heat president Pat Riley or owner Micky Arison as to whether Marion would finish the season in Miami.

NO ANSWERS

Riley, who did not accompany the team on its seven-game trip that ends Sunday in Oklahoma City, was not available Friday for comment. As recently as last month, Riley said Marion would be among the players the team would continue to build around.

Two league sources said Friday that Marion's name has surfaced in moderate to serious trade discussions with the Heat, which has plenty of depth at forward but lacks a veteran point guard and depth at center.

Marion, who was acquired before the February 2008 trade deadline from Phoenix for Shaquille O'Neal, said he is aware of the perception the Heat has other needs. But he wouldn't say Friday if he would be surprised if he were traded.

Marion entered the season with a sense of lame-duck status after he and the team could not reach an agreement on a contract extension.

The sides still could negotiate an extension during the season or wait until after the season, when Marion would become a free agent. Marion said Riley and Arison have been supportive this season despite the stalled negotiations on an extension.

''Let's get this straight again: I love Miami,'' he said. ``I'm done with that other stuff. I'm just done with it. Whatever happens with it happens. It's ludicrous -- that part of the business. I can't control anything.''

The most recent round of Marion trade speculation comes on the heels of his struggles at the start of the trip. Marion questioned his role in the offense after a Jan. 6 loss in Denver.

NOT HAPPY

Two nights later, Marion was displeased with being left on the bench for the entire fourth quarter and overtime in a victory at Sacramento. Afterward, Marion said coach Erik Spoelstra said ``he forgot about me.''

Spoelstra and Marion then brushed the issue aside, and Marion has responded with consecutive strong performances. He had 16 points and 11 rebounds in a victory at Minnesota on Tuesday and finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds in a victory at Milwaukee on Wednesday.

''He's a professional,'' Spoelstra said.

But Marion's season averages of 12.1 points and 9.2 rebounds are the lowest since he was a rookie. Marion, a four-time All-Star, has started all 34 games he has played and leads the Heat in rebounds.

Marion said Friday that he wouldn't let the distraction of trade rumors affect his performance on the court.

''I'm just sitting here, trying to help this team any way I can,'' Marion said. ``That's what it's all about. I'm with these guys, and I'm going to do whatever I can to help this team.''