Heat soured on Beasley rumor -- Mind games or for real?
Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:07 pm
When the reports broke out most experts were talking about teams who might be interested in moving up to get Beasley. Whether the Heat have really soured on Beasley remains to be seen, but the issue that concerns us more is that this puts direct pressure on teams who are interested in trading up to grab Mayo or Bayless - namely the Clips and reportedly the Knicks. In the past when Rose and Beasley were widely considered to be the 1-2 punch, any team who's interested in getting Mayo would look to Minnesota as trade partners. With the reports coming out today, along with Mayo and Bayless being brought in by the Heat for workouts, the Heat has now effectively positioned themselves ahead of Minny in that particular queue.
From the Clip's perspective, the option of trading up was very much alive (even Dunleavy hinted that in his interview on clippers.com today) and they are now forced to look into the option of trading Brand to the Heat in exchange for security of getting Mayo. Very smart move from the Heat's perspective because no matter they really have reservations on Beasley or not, they have just increased their odds of getting Brand or other prime big men on other teams that could better fill their needs compared to a rookie big man in the Glenn Robinson mold.
I would prefer keeping Brand and exploring S&T options with Maggette (tough to find trade partners but has to be actively pursued regardless), but if the Clips are indeed willing to consider parting with Brand for Mayo (and not Beasley), IMO the best trade scenario for us that also makes adequate sense for the Heat would be sending Brand and the top-10 protected pick from Minny (through 2011 and unprotected thereafter) for Marion and #2. Won't be easy without giving up the #7, but If management can pull this off, the pick allows the Clips to replenish lack of front court depth immediately with Kevin Love or Joe Alexander. They can further add to their frontcourt in the second round by picking a DeVon Hardin or DJ White in the second round. Our style of play would obviously have to change to more of an effective running game (which is doable with Mayo at the lead guard, a reasonably effective livingston will be a bonus to the system) and I understand that's tough to do with Dunleavy sticking around as coach, but this would be the most acceptable scenario if we do elect to give up Brand.
From the Clip's perspective, the option of trading up was very much alive (even Dunleavy hinted that in his interview on clippers.com today) and they are now forced to look into the option of trading Brand to the Heat in exchange for security of getting Mayo. Very smart move from the Heat's perspective because no matter they really have reservations on Beasley or not, they have just increased their odds of getting Brand or other prime big men on other teams that could better fill their needs compared to a rookie big man in the Glenn Robinson mold.
I would prefer keeping Brand and exploring S&T options with Maggette (tough to find trade partners but has to be actively pursued regardless), but if the Clips are indeed willing to consider parting with Brand for Mayo (and not Beasley), IMO the best trade scenario for us that also makes adequate sense for the Heat would be sending Brand and the top-10 protected pick from Minny (through 2011 and unprotected thereafter) for Marion and #2. Won't be easy without giving up the #7, but If management can pull this off, the pick allows the Clips to replenish lack of front court depth immediately with Kevin Love or Joe Alexander. They can further add to their frontcourt in the second round by picking a DeVon Hardin or DJ White in the second round. Our style of play would obviously have to change to more of an effective running game (which is doable with Mayo at the lead guard, a reasonably effective livingston will be a bonus to the system) and I understand that's tough to do with Dunleavy sticking around as coach, but this would be the most acceptable scenario if we do elect to give up Brand.
