Miami Heat Trade News 2015: Heat, Grizzlies Explore Mario Chalmers Trade
The Memphis Grizzlies were ecstatic during the summer when the team convinced All-Star center Marc Gasol to stay, but after two blowout losses to start the season, they're already hitting the panic button. After suffering a franchise-record 50-point loss to the defending champions Golden State Warriors, not to mention a 30-point loss to the Cavs earlier, it appears that the team needs help.
Help in this case may be in the form of a court general that can set up teammates better and create opportunities for its frontline. ESPN first reported that the team is looking at trading with the Miami Heat — the target: guard Mario Chalmers. Although the same report said that no deal has been agreed on as of the moment, only discussions on the hope of roster improvement.
Chalmers is a proven winner, having won the national championship at Kansas and a champion with the Miami Heat in the NBA. Selected 34th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft, he was traded by Minnesota to Miami, the team he's been with for all his eight seasons in the league.
The Grizzlies are looking at trading away guard Beno Udrih, but the Heat isn't expected to agree on a straight swap considering that Udrih is owed $2.2 million, while Chalmers has a $4.3 million salary. This means that if the Grizzlies really want to grab the former Jayhawks star, then they will have to include another player in the deal.
Chalmers, though, isn't affected by the rumors, or at least that is what he's trying to say. In an interview with ESPN, he said that it is a kind of situation in the league that's beyond the player's control. "It's definitely been tough, but I'm built like that ... for tough moments, to deal with things," he said.
Digging deeper into the scenario, though, it is pretty clear that Miami may also benefit from this potential deal. Pat Riley signed Goran Dragic to a long-term contract this off-season, while young and promising players like Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson certainly need more playing time. Suppose they make a great deal for Chalmers, the team can then cut a significant portion of their luxury tax bill.
