The Miami Heat continue to dangle Mario Chalmers on the trade block in hopes that one team needs point guard depth before the year begins. Chalmers has been gaining little attention despite several teams having doubts in their current point guard rotation. While the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks remain options for a deal, is an injury making the Utah Jazz take a look at the Miami veteran?
According to FOX Sports, Chalmers could become a target of the Utah Jazz after Dante Exum when down with a season-ending injury. The rookie point guard was helping make Utah a potential playoff team in the Western Conference and now the team lacks a real options at the position. Exum will was drafted in the first-round and was predicted to be a star in Quin Snyder's offense and the team must begin to take a look at other options.
Chalmers would be a solid fit in Utah. While he does not operate the pick-and-roll well, he would be a strong veteran with a decent shot and a short-term rental considering his contract expires at the end of the season. It would be an easy risk-free move for Utah to make in order gain some depth at the position.
The Jazz are taking a lot of looks at point guards on the market. According to Jody Genessy of Deseret News, the Jazz are eyeing Garrett Temple of the Washington Wizards. Temple has seen very little playing time, averaging just four points and one assist in 14 minutes of play. Chalmers is clearly the better options. J. Michael of CSN Washington reported no discussions have taken place while the Jazz work out their intended plan.
While interest in Chalmers is beginning to gain steam, talks for Chris Andersen are quiet. The Miami Sun-Sentinel reported that Andersen was the more likely trade over Chalmers, but so far no one has discussed a deal. The Los Angeles Lakers have been eyeing big men to add behind Roy Hibbert. The Knicks like the idea of putting someone behind Robin Lopez, but no negotiations have taken place. Andersen is more expendable that Chalmers is considering the Heat added plenty of size in the offseason. However, they lack a solid option behind Goran Dragic which is the role Chalmers is set to play.
