The Miami Heat continue to try and get themselves financial freedom after giving out a max contract to Goran Dragic and re-signing Dwyane Wade to a big one-year contract. With luxury tax issues creeping in, the Heat are trying to trade away some of their pay roll weight and finding that is easier said than done. The team is hopeful that the market begins to develop for last-minute trades as the teams begin to search for depth on their bench.
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Heat are desperate to move either Mario Chalmers, Shabazz Napier or Chris Andersen by the start of the season in order to save a great deal of salary cap space for the short-term and long-term. The Heat have made the three players available for weeks now and so far there is little interest in their talents. However, with many teams needing size and point guard depth, a market could be emerging.
After a quiet rookie season, Hoops Habit is reporting that a trade for Napier is unlikely. Most teams are aiming for a veteran to help move the team forward off the bench which means Chalmers could be a bigger target. Chalmer's career with the Heat has certainly been a roller coaster. He had a successful year that earned him a new contract and then had a public falling out with LeBron James the next. Chalmers admits that trade talk is just simply part of the business at this point.
"It's part of the business," Chalmers said, via KUSports.com. "For me, I don't really think about it. I try to control what I can control, and I'm just working on me and my game. I would definitely love to stay in Miami. I think we have a good chance this year to go all the way. It's just bringing everything together."
The Los Angeles Lakers or Cleveland Cavaliers could be the best chance the Heat have at trading Chalmers. The Lakers are looking for a veteran to place behind D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson who are young players being handed a lot of responsibility. The Cavaliers are needing backup in case they fail to get Matthew Dellavedova inked to a new contract. James certainly will not enjoy that idea.
For Andersen, teams need size, but do not want his contract. The New York Knicks need someone to place behind Robin Lopez who is the only true center on the team. The Dallas Mavericks are still looking for size as the weigh their options with Carlos Boozer, Glen Davis and JaVale McGee. According to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel, Andersen is the most likely traded the Heat will get this offseason before heading into opening night.
