Heat Warming Up Trade Waters

June 22, 2010

Sources from within the league and in the media have confirmed that the Miami Heat are placing their 2010 first-round draft pick (18th overall) on the trading block. This move comes at no surprise to close followers of the Heat as Miami rarely seeks improvement through the NBA draft. Beyond that, in the Heat's search for a quality supporting cast to aid Dwyane Wade, there is little immediate help they can acquire from the services of a rookie. Pat Riley's focus is on freeing up cap space and bringing in established players to play alongside Wade next season and beyond.

Michael Beasley's name has been thrown out into the trade rumor mill for quite some time now, and pairing him with Miami's first-round pick and another player would be the most likely package the Heat will offer to interested teams. Few teams have an interest in Beasley at the moment, but nonetheless there are teams fancying the thought. A month from now we will see the waters warm up even more as free agency officially opens up and the NBA offseason will be in full throttle.

Other News

The Miami Heat picked up Mario Chalmers' team option and have re-signed him through next season. This means one of two things: 1) Miami values Chalmers' services, or 2) Miami is setting Chalmers' up for a trade package.Chalmers joins Beasley and Daequan Cook as the only players under contract through the 2010-11 season.