There are rumblings that the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies have had exploratory talks about a potential Mario Chalmers swap.
Reportedly, nothing is imminent.
Season's first bit of NBA trade scuttle dribbles in: ESPN sources say Grizzlies have discussed potential deal for Miami's Mario Chalmers
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) November 3, 2015
No trade imminent yet, I'm told, but sources say that the Grizzlies and Heat have discussed a potential Chalmers-to-Memphis swap
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) November 3, 2015
Chalmers is in the final year of his deal with the Heat, earning $4.3 million:
The Grizzlies are already investigating their options for strengthening the roster in the wake of two uncharacteristically heavy losses inside the first four games of the season. Memphis suffered a 30-point defeat to Cleveland last week in its home opener, then absorbed a 50-point hammering Monday night at Golden State in the first game of a five-game trip.
Chalmers, though, is in the final year of a two-year deal he signed in the summer of 2014 and is making $4.3 million this season. Sources say one possibility, if a deal were to come to fruition, is Memphis including fellow veteran Beno Udrih in a trade, but Udrih earns just $2.2 million when it comes to salary-matching purposes. […] The Heat can not only slice their luxury-tax bill if they find a favorable deal for Chalmers but also ensure that youngsters Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson continue to be first in line for spot minutes behind the Heat’s backcourt starters.
Chalmers said earlier this week that his situation with the Heat is out of his control. […] “It’s definitely been tough, but I’m built like that … for tough moments, to deal with things,” he said. “I’ve always had the odds stacked against me. That’s what made me who I am.”
