The Miami Heat are working hard to trade two players with unwanted contracts. Both Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen have high salary cap charges in 2015 which is why the Heat are being so aggressive in trying to deal both of them before the season begins. However, is a trade worth it when depth could become an issue? With a lack of point guard depth, is keeping Chalmers the better move for Miami?
Chalmers is set to be a $4.3 million cap hit in the upcoming season as he prepares to come off the bench. The Heat are loaded up with shooting guards especially after drafting Justise Winslow and Josh McRoberts, but they no longer have an abundance of true point guards. Goran Dragic re-signed to a max contract in free agency and will be the starter at the position, but behind him is only Chalmers. According to Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel, depth issues is what will cause the Heat from finalizing any trade for Chalmers. Unless the Heat are able to potentially get a cheaper point guard in return, they might hold on to Chalmers for at least the start of the season.
According to Winderman, the likely trade target for the Heat is Andersen. Miami is loaded with size after signing Amar'e Stoudemire to pair with Hassan Whiteside, Chris Bosh and James Ennis. They have the depth to make Andersen expendable and there could end up being growing interest in his services. Even with Carlos Boozer and JaVale McGee still sitting on the market, Andersen could be a target for a team like the New York Knicks or Dallas Mavericks.
The Knicks are still eyeing help for Kristaps Porzingis and Robin Lopez. The Dallas Mavericks are still recovering from the loss of DeAndre Jordan. They have shown the most interest in McGee while the Knicks continue to eye Boozer. If either team were to miss out on an option, Andersen could end up being their favored target.
The Los Angeles Lakers appear to be the team best suited for Chalmers. They continue to eye help for D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson. The Los Angeles Times originally linked the team to JR Smith, but then said a contract for the shooting guard was unlikely. The Lakers are still trying to dump off salary for Robert Sacre and Ryan Kelly. They could try and tie them together in a deal for Chalmers.
The Heat certainly feel they can compete without Chalmers and Andersen, but the team lacks significant star power that might say otherwise. The Heat still must be concerned about the health of Dwayne Wade. According to ESPN, the Heat are destined to finish at least sixth in the Eastern Conference.
