Even as Heat fans await the key summer of 2010, this season should provide answers to pressing questions. Among them, and what NBA people are saying:

• Will Michael Beasley, starting at his natural power forward position, become the All-Star-caliber player the Heat expects?

The Heat needs to make it work with Beasley because his maturity issues and previous strikes in the NBA drug program would make it difficult to get equal trade value, one longtime scout said Tuesday. Coach Erik Spoelstra said last month that Udonis Haslem would start, but he changed his mind.

``They tried Beasley at small forward and felt they weren't as good,'' the scout said. ``If he started at small forward, he would not be able to handle the Danny Granger types. They would do a number on him. Even now, his size could hurt him with long, tall power forwards. You look at [Clippers injured rookie] Blake Griffin and say he is going to be a star. You don't say that for sure with Beasley, but he still could be a heck of a player.''

Another scout who evaluated him this month said, ``Defensively, you can see better effort. He looks more comfortable shooting off the dribble.''

If the Heat believes Beasley needs to play primarily power forward long term -- and this new lineup suggests that -- then that would make Carlos Boozer an unlikely 2010 free agent option if Miami can't sign Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudemire. Bosh and Stoudemire could play center; Boozer cannot.

• Is Mario Chalmers the long-term point guard? Chalmers blamed his poor one-on-one defense after the All-Star break on fatigue, but there's more to it. Carlos Arroyo was the better player last week. Chalmers shot 37.5 percent in the preseason with 19 assists and 16 turnovers.

Why is Spoelstra adamant about Chalmers starting? ``We play well when he's in there. I'm not panicking because of the preseason and perception of the way he played,'' Spoelstra said.

One scout predicted Chalmers ``eventually is going to be a good point guard in the same breath as Rajon Rondo.'' But another said, ``What does he do really well? He's not a special shooter. His play-making is average. His defense is better playing passing lanes than on the ball. He's one reason they're middle of the pack. He's not a starter on a really good team.''

If Chalmers flounders, the Heat could pursue a 2010 free agent from a mediocre group topped by Raymond Felton, Steve Blake and Rafer Alston. Miami could try to sign Atlanta's Joe Johnson to pair with Dwyane Wade, ``but Johnson isn't a point guard and can't guard them,'' a scout said. Even if Chalmers struggles, signing a top frontcourt player is the 2010 priority, besides re-signing Wade.

• Will Jermaine O'Neal rejuvenate his career? Preseason results were uneven, but he rebounded better (9.2 per game). ``He looked like he had more hop in his step,'' a scout said. ``He turned and pushed off his knee and shot well. That was his trademark in Indiana.'' But another scout cautioned, ``He's a very old 31.'' Said ESPN's Jon Barry: ``Will he make it through a full year? I highly doubt that.''

• What backups will prove worth keeping around? If Wade opts out, the players under contract for 2010-11 are Beasley ($4.9 million), James Jones ($4.64 million), Daequan Cook ($2.16 million) and Chalmers ($847,000). Jones would get $1.8 million next season if released by June 30.

Scouts rave about Cook. ``I'm more impressed with his improvement from last year than anyone else on the team,'' one said. ``He's making plays off the dribble now.'' Joel Anthony could become a long-term low-budget piece -- Wade said he's the Heat's most improved player.

CHATTER

• The Dolphins believe Vontae Davis, who will replace the injured Will Allen, has improved in two areas that were an issue earlier: He shows better foot quickness, which concerned coaches this summer, and he's playing with more poise and not forcing things. ``Simmering down,'' as Davone Bess said. . . . When coach Tony Sparano told players Monday he made a bad decision calling timeout late in the first half, that provided another reason ``why we all respect the guy,'' one veteran Dolphins player said. ``It's rare for a head coach to do that.''

• A UM official confirmed that offensive coordinator Mark Whipple indeed was upset late in the first half Saturday because coach Randy Shannon called UM's last timeout with 20 seconds left. Whipple had a play designed to gain 10 to 15 yards, and planned to call a timeout after that. . . . Defensive end Adewale Ojomo, who broke his jaw when punched by a walk-on in August, wanted to return this season, but lost too much weight to make that feasible.

• An NFL scout said cornerback Sam Shields' technique is ``horrible,'' but Shields has started six games and the staff prefers to play him over freshman Brandon McGee. . . . We hear Damien Berry, whose playing time will continue to increase, didn't get carries early in the season partly because of fumble problems in practice.

• The Marlins, who haven't had serious trade talks yet on Dan Uggla and Jeremy Hermida, are preparing a multiyear offer for Josh Johnson.