By: Tyler Ward
This Thursday will go down in history as one of the most epic days in NBA history. As we all know, LeBron announced that he would go to South Beach and join Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. This could be one of the best teams in NBA history, but that's a story for another day. Stephen and I have covered most of the "big" free agent signings today, so here are the signings and trades that didn't have an article posted strictly about them.
Thursday - July 8, 2010
- Miami Trades F Michael Beasley to Minnesota for 2011 2nd round pick (Both teams also agreed to swap future 1st round picks)
As reported late Thursday night, the Timberwolves acquired 2008 2nd overall pick, Michael Beasley, from the Heat for virtually nothing. The Heat will get a 2011 2nd round pick and the teams will also swap future 1st round picks. The Timberwolves will have to absorb Beasley's $6 million contract, as the Heat were looking to trade him after acquiring LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade. The Heat dumped Beasley to Minnesota to clear up some cap space, in hopes of filling out the rest of their roster.
Beasley, who was chosen behind Bulls star, Derrick Rose, has failed to live up to the #2 pick expectations, but is hoping to start over in Minnesota and become the player many thought he would be. In his two years with Miami, Beasley averaged 14.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He will join a very young Timberwolves team that includes this year's pick, Wesley Johnson, along with Jonny Flynn, Corey Brewer, and Kevin Love.
If Beasley wants to succeed in the NBA, the Timberwolves, along with himself, has to work on Beasley's attitude. His demeanor towards the game has been anything, but grateful and it seems like he never gives 100% on the court. Minnesota has to address that issue if they want him to help their franchise. Also, in 2008, Beasley, Darrell Arthur, and ex-teammate, Mario Chalmers were kicked out of the NBA camp for smoking marijuana in their hotel room. Beasley and Arthur were both fined $20,000 by the NBA and had to start their rookie seasons on the suspended list. All three players can't afford this happening again, especially Beasley.
The Timberwolves are still re-building and it may take a while with so many tough teams surrounding them in the Western Conference. They are on the right track, but with this move, they could possibly still be shopping Al Jefferson. Minnesota is filled in the front court with Beasley, Love, and the other 2003 top pick, Darko Milicic. So, be on Jefferson watch for the next few days or weeks.
- Travis Outlaw signs a 5-year/$35 million contract with the New Jersey Nets
After finally realizing they were not going to get LeBron James, the Nets went out and signed a decent small forward in Outlaw. Even though Outlaw is a good player, it seems like his contract is significantly bloated. However, many Nets fans expected that new owner, Mikhail Prokhorov, would try his hardest to field a better team than the one that managed to win only 12 games last season. Missing out on James, Bosh, Wade, Boozer, Stoudemire, and many others, they went down to the second tier and nabbed the former Trail Blazer. Last season, Outlaw played in 34 games for Portland and the L.A. Clippers, averaging 9.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.
Outlaw was taken 23rd overall in the 2003 draft by Portland out of high school. He spent the majority of his career in Portland before being traded along with Steve Blake to the Clippers for Marcus Camby. Over his seven year career, Outlaw has averaged 9.5 points and 3.4 rebounds.
- Toronto signs SF Linas Kleiza to an offer sheet (Denver has 7 days to match)
The Raptors announced early Thursday that they had signed Lithuanian forward, Linas Kleiza, to a 4-year/$20 million offer sheet. The Nuggets have seven days to match it, even though Kleiza has told the Nuggets staff not match it.
Kleiza was drafted 27th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers, but his rights were traded to Denver.
Before the 2009-10 season, Kleiza decided to sign overseas and follow in Josh Childress' footsteps. He was signed by the Greek team, Olympiacos Piraerus, and averaged 17 points and 7 rebounds per game for them last season. He also won the Alphonso Ford Trophy, which is given to the Euroleague's top scorer.
In his four seasons with Denver, Kleiza averaged 8.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He never was able to play quality minutes and coach George Karl strictly used him as a spark off the bench. If the Nuggets don't match, the Raptors are hoping he can fill some kind of void Chris Bosh left behind.
- Los Angeles Clippers sign SG Randy Foye and SF Ryan Gomes (Terms have not yet been disclosed)
Like the Nets, the Clippers decided to sign other players after they knew they weren't going to get LeBron James. These are two quality signing by Los Angeles, as they are trying to replace the newly-signed Travis Outlaw and current Laker, Steve Blake.
Randy Foye will provide quality minutes off the bench, as he will be playing behind 2008 draft pick, Eric Gordon at the two-guard position. Foye was an unrestricted free agent, as Washington renounced his rights earlier this summer. Last year, Foye and Mike Miller were acquired from Minnesota for the 5th overall pick, Darius Songalia, Oleksiy Pecherov, and Etan Thomas.
In 2006, Foye was taken 7th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers, but his rights were traded to Minnesota for the rights to future All-Star, Brandon Roy. Foye played three lackluster seasons in Minnesota before being dealt to Washington last season. His best year so far was in 2008-09 when he averaged 16.3 points and 4.3 assists for those same Timberwolves. He played 70 games for the Wizards last season, tallying up averages of 10.1 points and 3.3 assists.
Foye will more than likely the Clippers' most significant bench threat this season. After the signings of he and Gomes, the Clippers now have 9 players under contract (excluding rookies).
The acquisition of Gomes also helps the Clippers as they really don't have a player that naturally plays Small Forward. He could be put in the starting role if the Clippers fail to sign a veteran player that can actually put up quality numbers.
He was taken 50th overall in 2005 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. He came out of the small college, Providence and some experts thought he would go in the first round. Gomes played mildly well after not being guaranteed a contract in his rookie season. After two seasons in Boston, he was traded to the Timberwolves in the deal that brought Kevin Garnett to the Celtics.
- Miami Heat signs SG Mike Miller to a 5-year/$30 million contract
Free Agent SG Mike Miller has agreed to a 5-year/$30 million contract with the Miami Heat to join LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Last night was perhaps the biggest night in the franchise's history with the announcement by LeBron that he would be leaving his homestate Cleveland Cavaliers. The team also moved PF Michael Beasley to the Minnesota Timberwolves to free up more cap space to build a team around the Big Three. Miller will be a solid addition and will provide the spot up shooter that the Heat hoped to sign. While he will likely come off the bench, he will still probably receive a fair amount of playing time because the Heat can play Wade at point guard and have him on the floor in clutch situations. Miami is already starting off well in their effort to build around their main pieces, and with one or two more quality players, will definitely contend for a title this season.
