The Miami Heat have considered a Mario Chalmers trade this offseason and in training camp a deal could happen and this comes as the team is expected to chase Kevin Durant next summer in free agency. Miami brought in Amar'e Stoudemire and Gerald Green as free agents along with Justise Winslow and that should help give the roster depth around Dwyane Wade.
Miami missed the playoffs last year and this season the team is expecting to be back in the mix in the eastern conference. Wade signed back on a one year deal, while Goran Dragic got a long term contract for near max money and he will be key for the success of the team. Dragic was acquired last season at the trade deadline and while he played well, it took some time for him to get adjusted to his new team. A full training camp should benefit everyone, including Dragic, and it could pay big dividends down the road this season.
Dragic is the main point guard and Chalmers will be the backup if he ends up sticking with the team into the season. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Miami has been trying to trade Chalmers and Chris Andersen this offseason to help lower their luxury tax, but so far no deal has come close to getting done. The Miami Herald reported last week that the Heat may keep Chalmers until training camp, as most teams have rosters set at this point in the offseason anyway. The team also wants to take a "long look" at young guards Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson before making a move.
Miami is one of the teams that continues to get mentioned about potential landing spots for Kevin Durant and heading into next summer teams like the Mavericks, Wizards and Lakers also could push hard for the Thunder star. According to Grantland, Zach Lowe reports that Miami could have the chance to free up around $45 million in cap space and that would give the team a realistic shot at signing Durant to a max deal. Lowe writes that Riley likes to "get stars" and that he will "set up Miami to make a run" at Durant.
Even if Miami doesn't get Durant, the team will likely make a run at him and it comes after the team brought back Goran Dragic on a near max deal this past summer. Wade could see another tough negotiation if Miami really goes after Durant, but he could be willing to take a cut if it means getting the star. Wade has spoken highly of Justise Winslow this summer and the team is hoping that he can give the team some solid depth on the roster behind Luol Deng.
Check here for more on the Miami Heat plans and the potential pursuit of Durant.
