Michael Beasley's Impact on the Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves brought Michael Beasley into the fold by trading away two second round picks to the Miami Heat.

The potential this move represents could be worth much more than those two low picks.

In Beasley’s time at Kansas State University, he was nothing short of dominating. He had more double-doubles than any other player in the NCAA with 28. 

He had several games where he scored more than 40 points. The list of reasons why he was touted as perhaps the top prospect in the country goes on.

When he was selected second overall in the 2008 draft by the Heat, it was expected that his addition, combined with Dwyane Wade’s presence, would turn the franchise around. 

That’s a lot of expectations to be put on the shoulders of anybody not named Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, or LeBron James.

Without going into detail about Beasley’s reported off-the-court troubles, it is enough to say that Beasley needed out of South Beach.

Enter Minnesota, a team that won’t be putting the weight of the world on Beasley’s shoulders, while giving him every opportunity to continue to progress.

Let’s also not make the mistake of assuming that just because Miami jettisoned him, that Beasley is a bust. His 14 points-per-game in the NBA before his 21^st birthday isn’t something to sneeze at.

Beasley comes to a Minnesota team that is in the midst of a massive shift in philosophy. 

During the Kevin Garnett years and two of the Al Jefferson years, the team relied heavily on scoring from the low post, fitting in pieces around a strong power forward. 

Under general manager David Kahn and head coach Kurt Rambis, the team is making a transition toward the complicated triangle offense, one that relies on some low-post scoring, a lot of speed, and an ability to shoot from the wing.

Beasley will fit in well with the triangle simply because he is a player who can change the look of a lineup very quickly. 

He can either play as a big small forward (he has a good enough jump shot to make mid-range shots as well as get to the bucket) or as a slightly undersized power forward.

In the triangle system, speed is just as important as an ability to drain your shots.  Beasley doesn’t have the low-post presence that Jefferson had, but he certainly has more range on his jumper and is faster up and down the floor. 

Combining Beasley’s greater agility with Wes Johnson’s wingspan and Corey Brewer’s defensive specialties, and you have a much tougher defense. 

Teams that got open looks last season will find it much more difficult to run and gun against the Wolves.

He may even wind up as a sixth man, becoming the first guy off the bench and giving Rambis the ability to adapt his lineup to the opponent. 

Beasley gives the Wolves options, and for a team in the midst of a rebuilding process, there really isn’t anything more valuable than that.

Also significant is the fact that, in all likelihood, Beasley has not reached his ceiling yet in the NBA. 

Given a fresh start and having enormous pressure lifted off of his shoulders, he may have the perfect opportunity to blossom into a 20-and-10 threat in the league. 

It’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility, especially considering that Beasley will be able to play now without the pressure and spotlight that comes with playing for a Pat Riley squad.

Simply put, Beasley can get back to just playing basketball if he so chooses. His destiny is firmly in his own hands now, and all that he has to do to impress is work hard and dig deeper into the talent that made him a second overall pick.

Being able to start Jonny Flynn (eventually Ricky Rubio), Johnson, Beasley, Kevin Love, and Darko Milicic demonstrates that the Wolves are putting together a solid base of young talent. 

Beasley will have the chance to make himself a big part of this Minnesota team moving forward, and in the end, that’s just about the best situation for Beasley to find himself in.

From the Timberwolves’ perspective this deal was too good to pass up. 

Being able to add a player who has averaged 14 points per game in his young career for a very low price is a bargain in the NBA, pure and simple. Some may view Beasley’s acquisition as a risk, but for the price, it’s a risk well worth taking. 

Beasley even addressed that at his introductory press conference at Target Center on Thursday. 

He was asked if he thought that the Wolves had taken a gamble on him and responded with, “Definitely, but I believe in myself and I trust in myself to take care of business like I’m supposed to.” 

This should be music to the ears of Wolves fans. A player who will come in, know his role, and get the job done is the perfect fit for this team, regardless of whatever happened in his past.

If you’re Kahn, your main goal right now is to restock this team with talent while not giving up other talent, parting with draft assets, or becoming handcuffed to a ridiculous salary. 

The deal to bring in Beasley fits each of those conditions.