Rumors are floating around that the Heat might announce a trade at midnight involving Chris Bosh of the Raptors. The Heat have reportedly traded 24-year old point guard Mario Chalmers, 21-year old power forward Michael Beasley and 27-year old center Joel Anthony to the Raptors as part of a sign and trade for Chris Bosh. If that trade has indeed happened it’s domino #1 in the grand plan of the Heat this summer. They also want to sign LeBron James away from the Cavs and then re-sign Dwyane Wade. Even if the Heat can’t sign James they will be looking for another big free agent. Falling in that class would likely be Joe Johnson, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer or David Lee. Look out for the Heat who are dead serious about building a NBA Champion.

UPDATE: (7/1/2010) – It appears that Miami journalist Dan LaBatard made up that trade scenario as the Raptors didn’t do it.

The Heat have bought out 29-year old small forward James Jones contract for $1.9 million bucks. Jones played in 36 games (6 starts) for the Heat last season and he averaged 14.0 minutes, 4.1 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. He played in 76 games (7 starts) in two years with the Heat and he averaged 14.9 minutes, 4.1 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. This was another move to clear up even more cap space for free agency.

UPDATE: (7/18/2010) – The Heat have re-signed James Jones to a 1-year, $1 million dollar deal.

The Miami Heat made history when it selected 21-year old power forward Latavious Williams with the #48 overall pick of the NBA Draft. They selected him out of the NBA’s Development League making him the first player ever drafted out of that league. Williams played in 47 games (9 starts) for the Tulsa 66ers in which he averaged 7.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. The Heat liked what they saw out of him last season and they think he has a nice little upside.

UPDATE: (6/25/2010) – The Heat have traded Latavious Williams to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 2nd round pick in 2011.

The Heat have selected 22-year old small forward Da’Sean Butler with the 42nd overall pick of the NBA Draft. Butler played in 38 games (all starts) last season for West Virginia and he averaged 17.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. He played in 146 games (110 starts) in his four years in college and he averaged 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Butler tore his ACL in the NCAA tournament which is why he slid so far in the draft. The Heat might have another steal here.

UPDATE: (10/26/2010) – The Heat have waived Da’Sean Butler because they needed his roster spot.

The Heat have picked 22-year old power forward Jarvis Varnado with the 41st overall pick of the NBA Draft. Varnado played in 36 games (all starts) at Mississippi State last season and he averaged 13.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 4.7 blocked shots per game. He played in 141 games (119 starts) in his four years in college and he averaged 10.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 4.0 blocked shots per game. Many experts had Varnado getting picked in the first round so this was a outstanding value pick for the Heat.

The Miami Heat have selected 22-year old center Dexter Pittman out of Texas with the 32nd overall pick of the NBA Draft. Pittman will have to watch his weight as he is 6’10″, 290 pounds. He played in 34 games (all starts) at Texas last season and he averaged 10.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 1.9 blocked shots per game. Pittman played in 134 games (59 starts) in his four years in college and he averaged 6.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 0.9 blocked shots per game. The Heat hope that Pittman can provide defense and rebounding for them in the near future.

27-year old center Joel Anthony has opted out of his contract for the 2010-11 season thus becoming a unrestricted free agent. Anthony played in 80 games (16 starts) for the Heat last season and he averaged 16.5 minutes, 2.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 0.2 assists and 1.4 blocked shots per game. He has played in 169 games (45 starts) in his three years with the Heat in which he has averaged 17.0 minutes, 2.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.2 assists and 1.4 blocked shots. Anthony isn’t closing the door on the Heat and I don’t blame him for testing the open market instead of settling for slightly under 900K.

The Heat have traded 23-year old shooting guard Daequan Cook and the #18 overall pick in tonight’s draft for the #32 overall pick. This move was made to save money to spend on free agency starting next weekend. Cook played in 45 games (3 starts) for the Heat last season and he averaged 15.4 minutes, 5.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game despite only shooting 32% from the floor. He played in 179 games (26 starts) in his three years with the Heat and he averaged 22.2 minutes, 8.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Cook only shot 36.8% from the floor with the Heat and 35.8% from three point range. The Heat won’t miss Cook too much.

The Miami Heat have four picks in tomorrow night’s NBA Draft. They have the 18th, 41st, 42nd and 48th pick in the NBA Draft. Rumors are swirling that they would be willing to sell the 18th overall pick so that they would have more money to spend on free agents. Also look for Michael Beasley, James Jones and Daequan Cook to be on the trading block. I see the Heat keeping all three of the 2nd round picks that they have as they won’t have to pay those guys much money. It’s all about free agency with the Heat….but if I were running the show I would make that first round pick.

The Heat have picked up their team option for the 2010-11 season on 24-year old point guard Mario Chalmers. Chalmers played in 73 games (22 starts) for the Heat last season and he averaged 24.8 minutes, 7.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He has now played in 155 games (104 starts) in his two years with the Heat and he has averaged 28.6 minutes, 8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Chalmers lost his starting job last season but he has the potential to earn it back if he gets the chance to. He might wind up being a backup if the Heat bring in a big time point guard or shooting guard for 2010-11.