Report: Heat-Mavericks talking trade

[Mike-Dub]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/070710dnospomavstrade.11299a8b0.html

Report: Heat-Mavericks talking trade

11:03 AM CDT on Tuesday, July 6, 2010

  The Miami Heat have discussed a deal with the Dallas Mavericks to acquire big man Brendan Haywood, the Miami Herald reported, citing a player and a separate agent who have been directly involved in those discussions.

  Miami would part with Heat free agent center Jermaine O'Neal or Michael Beasley   — or both. The Heat has met with Mavericks free agent center Haywood already. It also has talked with the Utah Jazz and power forward Carlos Boozer.

  It's possible the Heat would also seek a backup point guard from Dallas, with Rodrigue Beaubois and J.J. Barea both playing behind Jason Kidd.

 Any potential sign-and-trade with Utah would certainly center on a O'Neal-for-Boozer swap, with free agent Jazz swingman Kyle Korver also a possible Heat target.

Beasley has been erratic in his two years with the Heat. But he was the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2008 and is only 21. He averaged 14.8 points and 6.4 rebounds last season, and it would seem logical that his numbers are only going to get better.

O'Neal, who is a free agent and could be a part of a sign-and-trade, once averaged 24 points per game, but his scoring dipped to about 14 last season as he's struggled with injuries in recent years.

If the Heat landed Haywood,Beaubois, and Korver that would be a steal.  If the Mavericks are only looking for Michael Beasley or Jermaine O'neal you'd think that they'd be willing to do a deal for Sheeds contract, which I hope they do.

[Evantime34]

They aren't trading Beaubois. I believe that this trade will hinge on Wade coming back.

[hpantazo]

They aren't trading Beaubois. I believe that this trade will hinge on Wade coming back.

I think they are realizing that they lost out on the FA market and are scrambling to get something to convince Wade to stay.

[Who]

That would be a very nice trade for Miami.

Give them a legitimate defensive anchor and physical presence in the paint. Keep enough cap space to add a max contract player and another piece (about $8 mil left?).

I wonder if this move is being done to satisfy Chris Bosh. To let him play at the four alongside a center.

[Who]

I wonder if this move is being done to satisfy Chris Bosh. To let him play at the four alongside a center.

Haywood would also provide excellent protection for Carlos Boozer if Miami had to go with it's fall-back option.

Give the Heat enough defense to make it work.

[Who]

It would be a bad trade for the Mavericks. They only have a small window for a title with Dirk and they need to concentrate on acquiring the best player today ... and that is Brendan Haywood.

Not the potential of Michael Beasley (enticing as it is).

[Mike-Dub]

It would be a bad trade for the Mavericks. They only have a small window for a title with Dirk and they need to concentrate on acquiring the best player today ... and that is Brendan Haywood.

Not the potential of Michael Beasley (enticing as it is).

Agreed.  Dirk's not getting any younger, except his offensive game sure doesn't seem to show that.

[kozlodoev]

That would be a weird trade for the Mavs. They are loaded on the wings and thin at center. Why would they want to make the situation even worse?

[Who]

That would be a weird trade for the Mavs. They are loaded on the wings and thin at center. Why would they want to make the situation even worse?

Another report came out late yesterday from the Mavericks denying that they had any interest in a sign and trade with Miami, and/or in general, involving Brendan Haywood.

So there appears to be nothing to this.

Just Miami inquiring about Haywood's availability and then being rejected.