If not for injuries to Ray Allen and Udonis Haslem, Michael Beasley may still be sitting on the end of the bench for the Miami Heat. He was brought in as a luxury and not a necessity, but he is becoming a very important player for the Heat.

Beasley was initially drafted No. 2 overall by Miami to be a sidekick to Dwyane Wade. He battled legal troubles and inconsistencies in his first two seasons. He was never able to live up the hype and put together a solid streak with the Heat. He averaged 14.4 points and 5.9 rebounds in those two years and was eventually traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves when Miami signed Chris Bosh and LeBron James.

In Minnesota, he also battled legal issues, but averaged a career high 19.2 points per game in his first season with the Timberwolves. He has never developed as a rebounder or defender. After he wore out his welcome in Minnesota, he moved on to the Phoenix Suns where he continued to play the role of sixth man. He started only 20 out of his 75 games last year and finished with a career low average of 10.1 points per game.

He was cut by the Suns on September 3, after being arrested again on suspicion of marijuana possession. There were rumors that his career in the NBA was over and nobody would take a chance on a one-dimensional player with issues off of the court.

On September 11, Beasley signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Heat, knowing that with the amount of talent on the roster he wasn’t only going to lack playing time, but may not make the team at all. However, he impressed during the preseason and won a bench role over a handful of rookie free agents.

Beasley was not initially in the rotation for the Heat, but after injuries to Udonis Haslem and  Ray Allen, along with ineffectiveness of Shane Battier, Beasley has been given his chance to contribute. Miami has won the last three games without Allen or Haslem and Beasley has averaged 13.3 points in 20 minutes in those games. He has been extremely efficient, going 18 for 31 in those games and having shot at least 50 percent in all five games he has played.

Beasley is perfect for the role he is playing. When he was having an off night before, he was forced attempt scoring because he was a key player. In Miami, he is brought in to provide an offensive spark incase they are struggling to score. With one of the oldest rosters in the NBA, the Miami Heat can use the 24 year old Beasley to give starters days off and reduce the minutes they are playing.

While Beasley was not brought in to be an important piece, the way things are playing out he may end up being the key to the Heat staying healthy in the regular season and making it to the playoffs at full strength.