Did the Heat offer Beasley for No. 2?

In the wake of the NBA Draft, you start to hear rumors about what teams supposedly were attempting to do. Such after-the-fact stuff generally has little shelf life, either because the speculation is inaccurate or, by that point, meaningless.

And yet, it was not easy to simply dismiss a report in Saturday's Memphis Commercial Appeal that said the Heat, on draft night, offered Michael Beasley for the No. 2 overall selection. We generally tend to believe reports connected, even if somewhat obtusely, to Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace (pictured below), the former Heat personnel executive.

Chris Wallace But, just to make sure, we took time to get the opposing view. And here's the latest: The Heat on Saturday said it was the Grizzlies that contacted it and tried to trade the No. 2 pick for Michael Beasley, not the other way around. A Heat spokesman confirmed that it was the Grizzlies who made the overtures.

In addition, that same report in the Commercial Appeal said that the Heat offered starting point guard Mario Chalmers for the No. 27 pick. Again, a Heat spokesman quickly corrected that it was Memphis that attempted to peddle No. 27 pick for Chalmers.

That part of the corrected equation makes plenty of sense. Chalmers, according to numerous insiders, has been the star of the Heat's offseason workouts.

Still, what we know now is that the Grizzlies have interest in Beasley, that there, indeed, is a market for the forward. What we've always known is the pervading sense that Heat President Pat Riley has never been totally comfortable with Beasley, seemingly cornered into selecting him at No. 2 in 2008. Recall, in advance of that selection last June, all the posturing when it came to O.J. Mayo and even Brook Lopez. And, make no mistake, the choice would have been Derrick Rose if the point guard had not gone at No. 1 to the Bulls.

The fallout? Apparently Riley can have No. 2 pick Hasheem Thabeet for Beasley. Riley, in a conversation a week ago, did stress how he was, is and will remain a center guy. Remember, Riley's first rebuilding project with the Heat came behind the shot blocking and rebounding of Alonzo Mourning.

Beasley for Thabeet? Nah, wouldn't do it. Somehow, it's nice to have players who also can score the ball.

And so goes another day of NBA rumors and surprisingly swift Heat reaction. Source: Sun-Sentinel.com