Report: Heat To Trade Michael Beasley To Timberwolves

The news that LeBron James has signed with the Miami Heat is the real big story of tonight. However, the Heat appear to have pulled off another minor coup that will give them more flexibility to add veteran players to the roster.

ESPN's Marc Stein is reporting the Heat have finally found a trade partner for Michael Beasley. Predictably, it's David Kahn and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

ESPN.com sources: Miami has agree to a trade with Minnesota that will send Michael Beasley to the Wolves. Link forthcoming.

Wolves-Heat deal, sources say, calls for 'Sota to absorb Beasley into cap space and send its 2011 second-round pick to Miami to seal deal   

The move clears Beasley's $4.962 million salary off their cap, which will give the team a bit more room to sign other free agents for more than the minimum salary. Exactly how much more depends on how much money James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade will make in their first season, but it could be a fairly significant amount. I can't overstate this: as talented as Beasley is, this is really, really good news for the Heat. 

As for Minnesota - well, I guess Beasley can battle Wesley Johnson for the small forward spot. Or something.