The Miami Heat have shopped a Mario Chalmers trade since the summer and recent reports have the Memphis Grizzlies interested in a potential deal for the point guard. Marc Stein at ESPN reports that Miami still would like to deal Chalmers to help with financial issues and Grizzlies have been looking for some depth at the position behind Mike Conley.
Miami has Goran Dragic as the starting point guard after acquiring him in a trade last season and that is one reason why Chalmers came up as a trade option this summer. Stein writes that Chalmers was shopped earlier this year during the summer as Miami tried to get their luxury tax bill lowered, but the team could not find a deal. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald confirmed the report about the Grizzlies and while a deal is not close to happening, the two sides could work out something soon.
Jackson reports that "one GM said" the main reason Miami is looking to move Chalmers is "for tax reasons" and that plays into the reports from the summer. Chalmers is in the final year of his contract and that could make him a bit more attractive to teams and he is set to make $4.3 million this season. Miami made a strong push to trade Chalmers earlier in the summer, but when that did not happen it looked like the team gave up on making a deal until later in the season or at the trading deadline.
Stein reports that a deal is "not imminent" but that Memphis and Miami have "discussed" a "potential deal" for the point guard. Chalmers is averaging 6.7 points and 3.0 assists per game this season and he has played 54 minutes overall in three games for Miami. The Heat have Tyler Johnson as an option to be the backup for Dragic if they trade Chalmers and the team has confidence that he can step up into that role. Memphis likely would use Beno Udrih in a deal for Chalmers, according to Hoops Hype.
Johnson dealt with some injuries over the summer and early in the season, but he has been able to overcome those and has played in two games for Miami. Johnson has not done much while averaging 11 minutes per game, but if Chalmers is dealt, his role obviously would grow a bit. Miami also has second round pick Josh Richardson and they like how he fits into things and he also could get a boost if a move is made.
Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst reported that both Chalmers and Chris Andersen were shopped by Miami this summer and moving forward the team could try and push a deal for Andersen if Chalmers is moved. The Grizzlies have not been off to a great start this season and that could be one reason why the team is looking to make a deal for Chalmers. The Grizzlies were beaten badly by the Cavaliers last week and the team may want some better options off the bench behind Mike Conley moving forward.