Lost in the hustle of LeBron James signing with the Miami Heat was the secondary part of the transaction, when the Heat sent third-year forward Michael Beasley to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a salary dump. The teams will exchange first round draft picks in 2011, and Miami will send their second round pick to Minnesota as well.
Beasley averaged 14.8 points and 6.2 rebounds last season for the Heat, and joins a front court in Minnesota that could see more movement. Between Ryan Gomes, Al Jefferson and Kevin Love (who averaged a double-double last year), the Timberwolves could be a popular trade target moving forward.
A move out of Miami presents new opportunity for Beasley, who was the second overall pick after Derrick Rose a couple years ago.
Depending on the subsequent moves in Minnesota, Beasley could finally come into his own in Minnesota. Look for his scoring and rebounding to increase playing next to other quality bigs with the Timberwolves.
