Michael Beasley needs a mentor. This is not to say that he is immature. But throughout his rookie season, Beasley has had his moments and his rookie moments. An average of 15 points and six rebounds is good for any 19-year-old in the League. However, Beasley has shown laziness and confusion on defense. He has been foul-prone. He has not been taking advantage of his post game. In order for Beasley to became that 20 and 10 guy Heat fans want him to be, he will need some advice. McDyess can provide that advice.
McDyess was selected second overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1995 NBA Draft, the same position Beasley was selected 13 years later. McDyess was known for his explosiveness and averaged 17.8 points and and nearly nine rebounds per game in his first six seasons. Unfortunately, McDyess suffered a serious knee injury, a patellar tendon rupture, during the 2001-02 season. McDyess re-aggravated his injury numerous times before his knee was finally declared healthy in the summer of 2004, when he signed with the Detroit Pistons.
McDyess was a reliable sixth man for Detroit and developed a reputation as a hard-nosed defender who could cause damage from mid-range jumpers. He is now more of a finesse player and a voice in the locker-room. McDyess was once an excellent defender, and could counsel Beasley on man-to-man defense. Miami's last lottery pick, Dwyane Wade, was mentored by Eddie Jones and Caron Butler. Beasley should also be given that privilege to turn him into a better player.
Taking a more broad look at McDyess' effect on the team, the 6-foot-9 forward out of Alabama would help Miami in rebounding. He is 34, but McDyess averaged 8.5 rebounds per game last season, playing 29 minutes for Detroit. And despite his nagging knee injury, he has played 78 games or more in his last three seasons.
The Heat is already capped out at the League's maximum of 15 players per squad. Pat Riley would have to waive one player in order to sign McDyess. Alonzo Mourning's possible return complicates this even further. If Riley decides to sign McDyess and Mourning, he would have to bite the bullet and cut two of his players. Since Riley probably does not want to do that, he will have to make a decision. Mourning's defense and rebounding are superior to that of McDyess, but the 6-foot-10 center out of Georgetown has not said whether he plans to make a comeback. Riley will have to consult with Mourning before even offering McDyess a contract.
The best player for Riley to cut would be Yakhouba Diawara. I know his contract extends to next season, but basing roster decisions on money and not talent would be a mistake. Diawara has been pretty pedestrian throughout this season, despite getting the chance to start twice. With new progress made on James Jones' knee, Diawara may not be needed.
In addition to the four small forwards the Heat currently retains, Pat Riley also signed four point guards. The most cost-effective cut would be to wave goodbye to Shaun Livingston. I know that he has not even played a game for Miami, and I am not an advocate of cutting him. But Livingston will only receive a $400,000 paycheck at the end of the season, and his contract does not extend any further. Mario Chalmers and Chris Quinn have been good options for Miami, and cutting Livingston would be understandable.
McDyess is not a big name. He would not turn the Heat from a .500 team to an elite team in the East. But he would improve Miami's rebounding and be a mentor for Beasley. And with the free agent and trade market as it is, this could be as a good as it gets.
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