The Miami Heat have been looking to trade Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen this summer and coming into camp the team could make final decisions on whether to push for a deal before the season starts. The team has a strong offensive unit with Goran Dragic, Justise Winslow, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, while players like Amar'e Stoudemire and Gerald Green add depth to the bench.
Miami has pushed for deals with Andersen and Chalmers this summer, but the team has not found a deal worth taking yet. Miami has been looking to lower their luxury tax moving forward and the team has already traded Shabazz Napier and Zoran Dragic this summer. Andersen and Chalmers have been on the block all summer and so far Miami has not been able to find interest in either player. Things could change once camp gets closer, as teams can identify needs and also injuries could change things.
Andersen and Chalmers both addressed the trade rumors in interviews and each said that they have been concentrating on basketballs and not worrying about the talk. The Miami Herald reports that the team is going to wait until training camp to make a final decision on Chalmers, as the Heat wants to take a look at some of their young players and how they perform heading into the season. Miami has some roster decisions to make and with Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson getting a chance, how they play could affect what happens to Chalmers.
Miami has Dragic as the starter at point guard and Chalmers is a solid backup, but he is expensive and moving his salary in the final year of his deal would be helpful for Miami's tax. Johnson was just cleared for activities after breaking his jaw in the summer league and Richardson comes in after being a second round pick. Miami wants to see what both players can do before making a move with Chalmers. Andersen has a $5 million salary and could be harder to move and if a deal doesn't happen now, the trading deadline could be an option.
Miami has some roster decisions coming up after camp, as the team has James Ennis, Johnson, Keith Benson and Corey Hawkins all competing. Ennis could make the roster after being with the team last season and Miami will have tougher decisions if Chalmers and Andersen remain and take up roster spots. Justise Winslow is expected to play a big part in things this season and Chris Bosh said that he is healthy and ready to come back full strength after dealing with blood clots.
Wade signed back on a one year deal and the team also has Hassan Whiteside heading into free agency next summer. Whiteside is going to be a starter and after having a breakout season last year, he could be in line for some big money next offseason. Miami is very interested in keeping Whiteside and that is one of the reasons why the team wants to cut some money and some tax moving into this season. Wade also will have to be re-signed next summer. The team added Amar'e Stoudemire and Gerald Green for depth on the roster this summer.
Check here for more on the Heat trade options and more on training camp.
