2010 NBA Free Agency: Does Michael Beasley Trade Make Him A Draft Bust?

According to reports, the Miami Heat have traded Michael Beasley to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for a second round draft pick. 

Ever since the possibility of a Wade-LeBron-Bosh "super team" emerged, the Heat have been actively shopping the forward in order to create enough cap space to award them each well-deserving max contracts.

If you look at the big picture, it appears as if Beasley, the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, has been, what fans refer to as, salary dumped. 

So far, he has averaged 14.3 PPG, and 5.9 RPG in his two years in the league. Obviously he hasn't met his high expectations and developed into the elite player his pre-draft analysis projected him to be.  With that being said, is it fair to classify him as a bust? 

In my opinion, not yet.

Even though he has been mediocre for the most part, he has shown flashes of his immense potential. Moreover, simply because things didn't work out for him in South Beach, doesn't mean he won't be able to elevate his game to the next level in Minnesota.

Sure, being thrown down the totem pole from a championship contender to one of the worst teams in the league must be disheartening. However, as one door closes another opens. Optimistically speaking, Beasley will be given much more playing time than he would have with the Heat.

I'm confident that he will improve and I wish him the best of luck in his pursuit to prove to us all that he can develop into an All-Star.