NBA Trade Rumors 2015: Mario Chalmers Clueless on Future With Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are reportedly open to trading Mario Chalmers for tax relief, but the veteran point guard said that he has not heard any trade plans from team officials.
Chalmers, who has spent his entire NBA career in Miami since he was drafted 34th overall in 2008, will be playing in the final year of his contract and is scheduled to earn $4.3 million next season.
According to the Sun Sentinel, the Heat are considering trading Chalmers to trim down their luxury-tax bill. The 29-year-old said that he last talked to Heat president Pat Riley during the exit meeting after last season, and the possibility of getting traded because of tax implications was not mentioned.
"He didn't say anything about that," Chalmers said. "So that was the end of the conversation. He said he would let me know. And then I'm still here to this day. So I'm not going to worry about it."
Chalmers started in all regular-season games from the 2011-12 season to 2013-14 season, but the former Kansas standout moved to the bench after the Heat traded for Goran Dragic midway through last season.
Dragic, who averaged 16.6 points and 5.3 assists in 26 games with the Heat last season, signed a five-year deal worth $85 million this summer. The crafty playmaker is expected to play heavy minutes at point guard in the upcoming season, which made Chalmers a dispensable asset.
Chalmers also played at shooting guard behind Heat superstar Dwyane Wade before. However, he is not expected to see minutes playing shooting guard next season after Miami signed Gerald Green this offseason. Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson are also options at the two spot.
Chalmers admitted that he is aware of the trade rumors about him, but he insisted that he will remain focused and will not let the talks about his future affect his game in the coming season.
"I mean it's kind of tough just hearing all the rumors and stuff," Chalmers said. "But you know, that's what it was, was just rumors. I've just got to keep focusing on my game and keep my mind straight and keep fighting through it."
Aside from Chalmers, reports earlier this month indicated that the Heat could also part ways with veteran forward Luol Deng before the trade deadline in February.
Like Chalmers, Deng will also play in the final year of his contract and will earn $10.5 million next season. According to Basketball Insiders, Deng could be dealt if the Heat fail to show potential of having a deep playoff run.
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