The Miami Heat have finally pulled the trigger on Mario Chalmers, someone who has long been in the trade market.
Chalmers will be suiting up with the Memphis Grizzlies soon after both teams came to terms on a deal which more importantly helps the Heat trim its luxury tax bill by at least $6 million.
The long-time Heat point guard was sent along with seldom-used James Ennis in exchange for Beno Udrih and Jarnell Stokes plus a $2.1 million trade exception.
“This is a tough day for myself and the organization in trading Mario Chalmers and James Ennis,” says Heat president Pat Riley said in a statement. “Mario was a part of two championships with us and Ennis is a solid young player, but it is part of the business and it was a move necessary to make because of our crowded backcourt.”
With that over and done with, the Memphis Grizzlies are hoping that Chalmers can help out the team which has been fluttering as of late despite being tagged as one of the favourites for the 2015-16 NBA season.
The Memphis currently sport a 3-5 record, a pretty disappointing position when one things about at team that carries two of the top forwards in the NBA today (Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph).
The recent events should be a big sigh of relief for Chalmers who was practically sitting on pins and needles in the entire offseason.
With Goran Dragic and a couple of younger guards in the lineup, Chalmers became dispensable. But more of that was tied up with his salary $4.3 million that placed the Heat in danger of facing luxury tax penalties.
There is no word on what the Heat plan to do with Udrih and Stokes for now. The Heat were actually trying to get a third team involved which have likely been the next destination for the two former Grizzlies.
It seems unlikely the Heat would have use for the two considering the packed lineup head coach Erik Spoelstra has under his command.
The Heat currently sit at 5-3 and that doesn’t even count an effective Dragic who continues to struggle.
On another note, Gerald Green is expected back for the Heat this coming Friday after serving a two-game suspension meted to him by the Heat.
“I want to apologize to my family, fans and the Heat organization,” Green said in a statement. “I accept the suspension and look forward to rejoining my teammates this weekend.”