The Miami Heat have shopped a Mario Chalmers trade along with Chris Andersen all offseason and teams like the LA Lakers, Boston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers, Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz, New York Knicks and Magic could consider making moves heading into the season.
Miami has been looking to cut their tax bill and moving Chalmers and/or Andersen would help that a great deal. According to the Miami Herald, the Heat have been "aggressively" shopping Chalmers this offseason and it comes after the team already moved Zoran Dragic and Shabazz Napier for financial reasons. Marc Stein at ESPN reported at the end of July that "rumbles persist" that the Heat want to trade Chalmers before the season starts.
Miami is happy with Goran Dragic as the main point guard and after trading Napier, the team will have Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson battling to back up Dragic if Chalmers is moved. Chalmers would be an expensive backup after the money Miami spent this summer, as he is on a $4.3 million deal and would push the tax bill if he remains on the roster. Miami signed Richardson to a deal and they are hoping that they can trade Chalmers at some point before the season. Chalmers and Andersen are on expiring deals and they likely will be targets at the deadline if they remain in South Beach.
Chalmers has been solid for the Heat as a backup during his run in Miami and teams like the Lakers, Knicks, Sixers, Jazz and Celtics could be potential fits along with the Blazers. The Lakers looked into the Ty Lawson trade before he moved to the Rockets and that means they likely want a veteran player along with D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson on the roster. Chalmers could be a fit, while the Knicks are in a similar situation and may want depth if Jose Calderon gets injured ahead of rookie Jerian Grant. The Knicks just signed Kevin Seraphin and likely will not push a deal now, but could be an option later in the season.
The Blazers have the most cap space left in the league right now according it Basketball Insiders and that makes them a potential landing spot. The team of course has Damian Lillard, but with Tim Frazier and Phil Pressey behind him on the roster, Chalmers could be an option to come in as a backup. The Celtics have Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart but could trade one of those players, while the Sixers have the cap space and the need at the position. According to CSN Philly, the 76ers reportedly have interest in Norris Cole and if he is brought back by the Pelicans, Chalmers could be a target.
The Utah Jazz also have cap space and now they may have the need, as Dante Exum reportedly has a torn ACL. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Exum has been diagnosed with the injury while playing for the Australian national team. Chalmers comes in after averaging 10 points and nearly four assists per game for Miami last season while playing in 80 games. Chalmers has won championships and has playoffs experience under his belt and he could be a nice addition for someone.
Check here for more on the potential for Mario Chalmers getting traded and for the cap space numbers for teams this summer.
