The Miami Heat have been working to trade Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen this offseason and if the team can pull off those moves, Carlos Boozer or JaVale McGee could be free agent options and this comes as Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson could push for significant minutes behind Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic with strong performances in training camp.
Miami basically has a full roster, but the team is looking to make deals with both Chalmers and Andersen. Miami traded away both Shabazz Napier and Zoran Dragic this offseason and those moves allowed the team to lower their luxury tax bill. According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Ira Winderman reports that the team would "like nothing more" than to trade Chalmers. Chalmers is making $4.3 million and Andersen is making $5 million and both players are on expiring contracts.
Miami signed Goran Dragic to a near max extension and they plan on keeping Tyler Johnson as the backup point guard if the team moves Chalmers. Some teams could be interested with Chalmers on an expiring deal and Miami is very interested in getting their luxury bill down. Moving Chalmers and/or Andersen can save the team money and if they can make a trade, there is a chance Miami could look at adding another player heading into training camp.
Winderman reports that the Heat could look at making a move to add to the "power rotation" but only if the team is signing a minimum deal. Winderman writes that Carlos Boozer could be a potential option for a deal and that if Miami trades either Chris Andersen or Josh McRoberts for "luxury tax savings" that Boozer could be a fit. Boozer was fairly productive last season for the Lakers and averaged nearly 12 points with seven rebounds per game while playing 24 minutes per contest.
Miami added Amar'e Stoudemire and they have solid depth with McRoberts, Udonis Haslem and Andersen on the roster, but if a trade is made, it could open up a move. The Heat basically have 14 roster spots guaranteed and the last one is the one up for grabs (unless a trade happens). James Ennis is in the mix to get that spot, while another small forward could be an addition like Rasual Butler or Michael Beasley again. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Ennis let the Heat push back a decision on his contract until before the season starts.
The Heat have signed second round pick Josh Richardson and the team also picked up the contract for Johnson earlier in the summer. Johnson has potential to get some solid minutes behind Dragic if Miami trades Chalmers and he comes in after shooting 41 percent overall last season. The Heat are expecting Justise Winslow to play a big part in the team this season and he will be the main backup for Luol Deng. Miami added Gerald Green to the roster and he should help the team manage the minutes for Dwyane Wade, who had a solid season last year and averaged over 20 points per game, but had to miss time with knee issues.
Check here for more on the Miami Heat roster and the possibility of trading Chalmers and Andersen.
