The Miami Heat opted to pick up the team option on Mario Chalmers with the intentions of having him and Norris Cole work in tandem with one another. However, with Chalmers headed to free agency, Cole is the new favorite of the team. With the Heat targeting the Big 3 as priorities this offseason, what happens to Chalmers?
The Miami Herald is reporting that Chalmers will likely chase the money over team loyalty this offseason. The point guard could be in for a solid pay raise, one the Heat simply cannot offer with their available salary cap space. The point guard market is big this offseason. Teams are attempting to chase players like Eric Bledsoe who is demanding a max contract and Rajon Rondo who might not even be available. Chalmers comes with talent and slightly smaller salary demands which could mean plenty of contract offers coming his way.
With Cole developing, Chalmers is not a priority. The Heat will have their hands filled with Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh who can all opt to exit if they so choose. All three have remained quiet about their uncertain futures with Miami, but the Herald is reporting that there is a growing belief all three will return in 2014 whether the team wins a championship or not. That means there will not be room to give Chalmers the contract he likely wants.
So who do the Heat target in free agency other than the return of the Big 3? The Heat are at risk of losing Ray Allen to retirement, meaning they need a solid option at shooting guard. Bleacher Report believes players like Xavier Henry or Jimmer Fredette. Both players will not command a giant contract and would be comfortable coming off the bench for Dwyane Wade. Henry dealt with injury issues last season and could be the odd man out in a re-tooling team. He is coming off one of his better stretches of time and if healthy could be an excellent piece. Fredette is a low-risk, high-reward player. The market will not be hot for Fredette meaning he will except any type of deal and he can replace Allen's 3-point production.
As far as Chalmers goes, he will get plenty of attention. A team like the Houston Rockets could easily look at Chalmers if he is available and they trade away Jeremy Lin. The New York Knicks could also be a strong option depending on which players they trade away this offseason which could be several of them.
