One man's trash...

Hi. I am going to write this, you are going to ignore it, but my creative needs for the next 2-3 years will have been met.

Michael Beasley: One of the best college freshman in the last 30 years, 2nd overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat...and that seems to be where the good news stops. Beasley was traded in 2010 to the Minnesota Timberwolves to clear cap room for Lebron James. In Minnesota he managed to put up good scoring numbers, but was unable to consistent in any other facet of the game. In 2012, Beasley scored a 3 year deal with the Phoenix Suns. He was subsequently cut earlier this month by the Suns for 4th (or 5th, depending on how you read the news) instance with marijuana. The Phoenix front office said that they cared for Beasley, but they needed to maintain the professional standards of the Suns. Last week, Michael Beasley resigned with the Heat with a non-guaranteed deal. Meaning, if he makes the team, they will honor the contract.

All of that background information brings me to this question: Is it a good idea for a General Manager to take a chance on a player who is a chronic headache? Beasley has been berated for poor defensive effort, shoddy fundamentals, and poor focus on the game at every stop he has made. Is Pat Riley making a mistake by signing him, even if it is to a non-guaranteed deal? A few points:

• Michael Beasley is incredibly talented

You don’t get chosen 2nd overall in the NBA Draft unless you have some serious skills. Beasley is Lamar Odom 2.0 (without the pills). He is versatile, agile, athletic, and a skilled shooter. If he makes the Heat, he could theoretically bring a skillset that the team would otherwise not have. 

• The Heat are different than when he left

When Beasley was traded in 2010, the Heat replaced him with Chris Bosh, Lebron James, and eventually Shane Battier. If those three, with Dwayne Wade and Pat Riley, can’t put Michael Beasley on the straight and narrow, then I don’t think anyone could. The team structure and climate is so strong in Miami that players can’t help but behave. Lebron and Co. will not accept any less than Beasley’s best in training camp. 

• Again, non-guaranteed contract.

If Beasley doesn’t show up to training camp in great shape, if he doesn’t work hard every single rep during camp, or if he has a single authority issue, just cut him. Easy as pie.

I think Pat Riley made a wise decision as he tries to extend the Heat’s title window. Reclamation projects like Greg Oden and Michael Beasley cost the team little money, don’t threaten the Heat’s locker room (because of the strong leaders already there), and give the team an unexpected bonus if they pan out. Here’s hoping!