NBA Rumors: New Jersey Nets Need to Acquire Michael Beasley

The New Jersey Nets need to make sure they put together a trade package that will land them Michael Beasley from the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

The Nets have been focused on trying to acquire Dwight Howard from the Magic, but they can't let that interest keep them from trying to pull off other moves, and a trade for Beasley is the perfect option. 

New Jersey may have come to this realization. 

Fred Kerber of the New York Post reports that the Nets are interested in Beasley. 

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Minnesota’s Michael Beasley has been mentioned and the Nets have spoken with the Timberwolves. Beasley is a young talent, has a $6.2 million expiring contract and is represented by Jeff Schwartz, who is also Deron Williams’ agent. So an initial courtesy call may have turned into interest.

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Nets fans should love this news. This is a no-lose trade for the Nets. 

Why the Nets Need to Land Beasley

The Nets are 4.5 games out of the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They have a favorable schedule coming up, and they should have the services of Brook Lopez for the stretch run. 

This team has an excellent shot at making the playoffs. They need to do everything they can to get into the playoffs. This is a team that is trying to erase a culture of losing. This is a team that is going to try and get Deron Williams to re-sign. 

While acquiring Michael Beasley isn't likely going to be something that convinces Williams to return, any positive momentum will help. 

And Beasley would definitely help provide some positive momentum. The Nets lack any scoring punch from the small forward position. And scoring is what Beasley does best. 

He is averaging 12 points in just 24 minutes a game for the Timberwolves this season. With a larger role, he averaged 19.2 points a game last season. 

Beasley's addition would add some needed versatility to the Nets offense. It also wouldn't hurt their versatility going forward. His contract expires at the end of the season. 

It also wouldn't cost them much. Chris Broussard reported a little over a week ago that the Timberwolves offered Beasley to the Lakers for nothing but a first-round pick. 

The Nets have nothing to lose in this deal and everything to gain.