Conley to Heat Deal Losing Steam?

The latest rumor is that the potential Heat-Grizzlies deal involving Mike Conley and the exchange of the 2nd and 5th picks is on the rocks because...wait for it...the Grizzlies don't want to include Mike Conley!

Is this a joke? Why are they even talking in the first place? Wasn't the whole purpose of a "Mike Conley" deal to get Mike Conley?

You pretty much can't put any stock in NBA trade rumors these days, especially ones that surface on the Internet. I still think this deal could get done, but the Grizzlies would have to include the actual player!

More Brand, Conley to Heat Trade Talk

The possibilities of the Heat acquiring Elton Brand and/or Mike Conley are very much in existence today. Here are the latest rumors:

1. Miami sends Shawn Marion and the #2 pick to the Clippers for Elton Brand and the #7 pick. Additional inclusions could be Mark Blount from Miami's side and Cuttino Mobley from the Clippers.

2. Miami sends Udonis Haslem, Daequan Cook, and the the #2 pick to Memphis for Mike Conley, Mike Miller, and the #5 pick.

I happen to like both of those deals from Miami's side. I just can't stop salivating at the idea of an inside-outside, Brand-Wade scoring punch. People tend to forget just how superb a player Elton Brand really is. Of course, if Beasley becomes an absolute stud, it's a bad deal.

The second deal is also enticing. You only drop three spots to get a supremely talented PG in Conley and a perfect Wade complement in Mike Miller. I hate to give up fan favorite Udonis Haslem, but something has to go. Haslem was a much more valuable player when he shared the frontcourt with Shaq. Now, he's a role player in the wrong system.

I wish the Heat could find a way to pull off both of these trades. Imagine a Mike Conley-Dwyane Wade-Mike Miller-Elton Brand-Alonzo Mourning starting five, with Dorell Wright and the 7th overall pick there as well. That's a championship contender with a little depth. Agreed?

Heat Trade Thoughts, Possibilities, Rumors, Speculation

I've stated in previous posts how I want the Heat to keep the 2nd overall pick and take the remainder of Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley. That still applies, except for one slight alteration: if the Heat can package Marion with the pick for a legitimate superstar, then it's something to consider. There are also some offers too good to pass up.

Current rumors:

1. Dwyane Wade to the Bulls for the #1 pick and possibly Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah, Thebo Sefalosha. That's complete garbage, it's not happening, and I hope we never hear of it again.

2. The Grizzlies may want to deal Mike Conley and the 5th pick for the 2nd pick, as they're known to covet Beasley. This falls into the "too good to pass up category." Imagine having Conley-Wade-5th pick-Marion-Haslem. That's not only a good team, but a young one with considerable upside.

3. Shawn Marion/? for Elton Brand. I'm a big fan of this deal, but the Clippers probably won't go for it.

4. Shawn Marion/? for Lamar Odom/?. This could really happen, with the Heat likely getting something extra (Jordan Farmar maybe?). As much as I enjoyed Odom's 2004 season in Miami, I wouldn't make this move unless Odom comes coupled with something else.

Now take #3 and #4 and combine it with #2. How about this team?

Odom Trade:
PG Mike Conley/Jordan Farmar
SG Dwyane Wade
F Udonis Haslem
F Lamar Odom
C Alonzo Mourning

Brand Trade:
PG Mike Conley
SG Dwyane Wade
F Udonis Haslem
F Elton Brand
C Alonzo Mourning

Then add the 5th overall pick and improved versions of Dorell Wright and Daequan Cook. That's some talented athleticism right there.

And now for my own speculation. This is completely of my own design, based on no real evidence. Everyone got that?

Shawn Marion and the pick for Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith. The Nuggets want to break things up, 'Melo could use a new start, and Dwyane Wade would have a truly dominant scorer to tag-team with him. The Nuggets would then get Michael Beasley and an all-star (known for rebounding) in Shawn Marion to put with Allen Iverson, Marcus Camby, and Nene. Am I crazy, or does that make sense?