The Miami Heat are in an interesting quandry. Should they draft Michael Beasley if he is available with the 2nd pick? Or should they trade down and scoop up someone with more value?

If Rose is available it seems clear that Miami would take him right away.

This is the basic question Miami is asking itself going into their 7:40 pm slot to make their pick on this Thursday. Should Miami take Beasley, they will give themselves a very good prospect that is going to come into the league and be ready to make an impact right away. They will have themselves another front court player that can shoot, score and block shots. Currently, Shawn Marion fits that role and the Heat hope to see more from Dorrell Wright as well this season.

Yet, there are many who seem to think Miami will not take Beasley, but intensely question his work ethic and maturity. With such a high pick, the feeling is it has to be a lock for Miami. If there are doubts, they could trade down, risk passing on Beasley but instead get more known quantities in a deal.

Rumor Volat

Rumor does fly, especially on the internet. There are rumors circulating that the Heat are in talks with the Memphis Grizzlies about a possible deal that would net the Heat Mike Miller, Kyle Lowry and the #5 pick for the #2 pick, clearly as part of a package deal. There are even discussions that the Heat are trying to get Conley from the Grizzlies and that the Heat would throw in Daequan Cook.

Another possibility finds the Heat dealing with the NY Knicks, there one-time rivals. The deal would be something akin to the Knicks sending Stephon Marbury and the 6th pick overall to Miami for Shawn Marion and Mark Blount. This would give the Heat the #2 and #6 picks in the draft and there are rumblings of the Heat being very interested in Brook Lopez, Jerryd Bayless, Kevin Love and even OJ Mayo.

Then there is the Seattle possibility which is the Sonics will send Chris Wilcox and the #4 pick for the #2 and Mark Blount.

Yet there are many on the inside who think the Heat are over-analyzing this situation. The best player almost unanimously is Michael Beasley. If he does have some perceived maturity issues, it could be just a part of the fact that he is practically fresh out of high school. And as a protected jock that hasn’t had to do anything other than play basketball, his view of reality is going to be a little screwy. You don’t miss the boat on that kind of talent unless you get some serious value in return. Besides, what better way to drive down his value than to find some kind of kink in his talent and push the perceived value of Rose up. This makes Chicago all but challenged to not draft Rose and have Beasley fall to Miami.

Drafting Beasley remains the best option for Miami. They can still always work out a deal if they felt they needed to thin out the front court depth of Beasley, Marion, Haslem and Wright. In fact, that process has already begun a bit with the Heat releasing Alexander Johnson today.

Pat needs this team to stand pat. They should draft the #2 spot and hope it is Beasley that is available because he will make a better fit with Wade and will make an immediate impact while Rose has to learn the finer points of running an offense in the NBA. Not to mention, Beasley would make the Heat need Marion that much less which would drive up his value even more.

If the Heat can swing a deal for another draft pick in this draft, that would be a solid choice but not at the expense of Dwyane Wade, Daequan Cook (unless it was really high) or the #2 pick.