Trading Udonis Haslem a Good Idea

His quiet demeanor and his cornrows are a contrast.

So his where Udonis Haslem came from and where he is now.

Just like his photos from his Gator days and his current Heat days.

The guy has changed so much and turned things around in a big way - all of it with hard work and dedication. Which is why, now more than ever, the Heat would not want to trade Udonis Haslem. But it is also why he is needed elsewhere.

Haslem makes a good salary with the Heat, but is not going to fit in with this team. Much like in 2003-2004 when the Heat had a young, run-and-gun core, there won't be much of a role for UD. Sure, his yeoman brand of basketball is refreshing, often drawing comparisons to Heat great Grant Long, but with the Heat's new offense heading in the direction it is - despite Riley's warnings - Udonis Haslem won't be able to help much.

The Heat need speed. They need players who are able to make quick decisions and score from anywhere on the floor. Haslem has the ability to hit an open jumper with regularity, but his offense is also limited to being in the right spot for someone to kick the ball to him. Other than that, he has to score on cleanups and hustle plays - the kinds of situations where Haslem will find less frequent without a giant center to dictate the orbit of everyone in the paint. With Shaq gone, Haslem's game will be exposed - he is undersized, lacks length and as the main rebounding threat for the Heat he could be easily neutralized.

Orlando, however, is looking for a power forward and this seems to make sense for both teams. Stan Van Gundy coached UD when he was coming up in the Heat's house and is familiar with his game and work ethic. He knows his game and as a result, SVG could be pushing for Haslem as a target. The Magic are poised to make a big step forward - they just need a missing ingredient to tie it all together and it is precisely the kind of thing Udonis could bring to the Magic. He is a champion and a hard worker. He will sacrifice for the good of his team and teammates and could be a quiet clubhouse leader on a team where he will be able to forge his own identity. Also, his game would compliment Dwight Howard's much the same way as it did Shaq's.

For the Heat, they could target Carlos Arroyo, JJ Redick, or even Pat Garrity. Arroyo and Garrity have contracts that expire after this season - which gives the Heat even more financial flexibility (to go out and sign...say, an Elton Brand?). Plus, they could even audition Arroyo, an FIU grad and Miami resident, for their future PG needs. Garrity would offer an expiring contract - nothing more.

Redick would be an interesting target and could offer the Heat a young and cheap shooter with big upside. Of course, Otis Smith, GM for the Magic, is saying he is not dealing Redick - but we've heard that kind of talk before. Redick would offer the Heat another young, brash shooter to go along with Daequan Cook.

Trading Udonis would be bitter sweet but necessary. These days, the entire city of Miami seems to be dealing with losing their fan favorites, but it is a sign of change. It is inevitable, although not an enviable situation. If Miami is able to trade Udonis Haslem for some expiring contracts, they could free up another $6M+ in salary that could be spent this summer. It just makes sense. Or cents.

By the way, add Ira Winderman to the growing list of people in support of dealing Haslem.

Tell us what you think.