Sources: Heat land Josh McRoberts

— -- Charlotte Hornets free agent Josh McRoberts has committed to sign a new deal to join the Miami Heat, his agents told ESPN.com on Monday.

Sources told ESPN.com that McRoberts will receive a four-year deal from the Heat worth an estimated $23 million and which also includes an option to return to free agency entering the fourth season.

McRoberts thus becomes the first player Heat president Pat Riley can present to LeBron James as a new future teammate in Miami's quest to convince James to re-sign with the Heat.

"From Coach [Spoelstra] to [Heat executive] Andy Ellisburg to Pat to ownership, they were all really excited about Josh," agent Mke Conley of BDA Sports said in a phone interview. "They all met with Josh, came out from Day 1 with their offer and made it clear to us that Josh is who they want.

"It was probably the toughest decision he's ever had to make, but it could be a once-in-a-career opportunity for Josh to join a great team with a great player. They're looking at Josh coming in and being a major factor.

The versatile power forward, who can't officially sign with Miami until Thursday, was pursued hard by eight teams and also received a strong offer from the Hornets, who badly wanted to keep McRoberts for his passing and shooting ability.

The Heat, in recent days, have been talking to a number of free agents in hopes of securing a verbal commitment or two to impress James and encourage him to stay in Miami in the face of the serious interest James is drawing from the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns.

Sources say that James was made aware last week of the Heat's determination to sign McRoberts to add his playmaking and floor-spacing abilities to Miami's mix. Charlotte coach Steve Clifford was a big McRoberts fan who often ran his offense through the 6-foot-10 forward, who is regarded as one of the game's best passing big men.

Sources say that Pau Gasol, Luol Deng, Marvin Williams and Anthony Morrow are among the other free agents that Riley and Spoelstra have chased. But Miami -- provided that it can successfully re-sign James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade -- have only limited funds available now to pursue the likes of Williams and Morrow for additional outside shooting.

"There's now a huge appreciation around the league for how Josh plays," BDA founder Bill Duffy told ESPN.com. "And this [move] may be the impetus for something bigger as the first player outside the Big Three that Miami has landed."