The Myths and Facts Of Upcoming Miami Heat Offseason

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Being that Miami lacks a first round pick courtesy of a past trade, as well as virtually no cap room beyond perhaps half the mid-level exception to offer, here are the myths and realities of what Heat fans should expect this summer.

Myth: Dwyane Wade will sign an extension and forego his unrestricted free agent status next year.

Fact: Barring a mega trade that would net Miami either Amare Stoudemire or Chris Bosh this summer (not likely), Wade will wait until 2010 when several teams will be able to offer him a max deal and perhaps a star sidekick to play with. That's the bad news. The good news, however, is that the Heat are among those teams and Wade seems genuinely happy in Miami. Therefore, unless things really fall apart this season, Miami will be in prime position to get a Bosh or Stoudemire next year when both are free agents, to pair alongside Wade.  That is, assuming of course, that they would be inclined to want to get paid a max contract to play alongside Wade in South Beach.

Myth: Michael Beasley is a basketball player.

Fact: Michael Beasley is a stoner that plays basketball and has an amazing knack to shoot the ball well and completely miss defensive assignments. Okay, maybe that is a bit strong, but here is my point. I watched this guy closely all year. In a nutshell, he lacks the drive and focus that great players usually have. But here's the thing. You know who doesn't? Ricky Rubio. Memphis, the team with the number 2 pick, will have Rubio available to them in next week's draft, and they have shown an interest in Michael Beasley in the past. Now maybe, just maybe, the Heat could ship Beasley straight up for Rubio or perhaps even include Mario Chalmers in the deal to sweeten the pot. A pipe dream? Who knows. What I do know is that Boston is stacked with talent, the Cavs and Magic are only getting better, and Miami got beat by a team in the playoffs that the Cavs swept, and by an average margain of 15 points a game. Even if Miami got Bosh or Stoudemire to complement Wade next year, the top tier of the East is tougher than ever and Miami needs to consider moves like trading for Rubio more than people may think.

Myth: Miami will trade Beasley this offseason.

Fact: Unless it's for Rubio, they won't. Say what you will (hehe) about B-silly but his contract is too good for us to trade him unless its for another rookie contract.

Myth: Miami will use their full mid-level exception to sign a free agent.

Fact: Even though they would like to, doing so would push Miami over the luxury tax and Pat Riley knows Heat owner Mickey Arison wouldn't green-light such a move if it didn't make Miami a legitimate contendar. And it won't. Therefore, Miami will use half of its exception to throw around to any interested parties, particularly point guards, and hope that the bad economy will result in players settling to take less money than in past seasons.

Myth: Udonis Haslem will remain the Heat's starting power forward.

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