Mario Chalmers is heading to the Memphis Grizzlies after playing eight seasons with the Miami Heat, per NBA.com. The Heat confirmed the deal on their official Twitter account, sending Chalmers and James Ennis for Beno Udrih and Jarnell Stokes.

"This is a tough day for myself and the organization in trading Mario Chalmers and James Ennis. 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," Heat president Pat Riley said in a statement via Miami Herald.

"Rio can hold his head high leaving on a great note here. He will always be remembered as a two-time champion point guard here in Miami, always welcomed here in Miami from here on out," coach Erik Spoelstra added.

Miami is over the luxury tax after signing Goran Dragic to $90 million contract last season and letting Chalmers go will free up some cap space. The 29-year-old point guard is set to make $4.3 million this season and will be an unrestricted free agent next year, per Spotrac.

The Alaska-native was drafted 34th overall by the Heat in 2008 and was one of the role players during Miami's two championship seasons and four final appearances. According to Basketball Reference, Chalmers has averaged 8.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals in Miami.

He played college basketball with the Kansas City Jayhawks and helped them win the 2008 NCAA Championship by defeating the Derrick Rose-led Memphis Tigers in the final. Matt Moore of CBS Sports noted that Chalmers might get booed in his first game with the Grizzlies because fans will not forget his game-tying three to force overtime in the NCAA final.

In a report by Bleacher Report, Chalmers is a better backup than Udrih and can play the two spot with Mike Conley. Stokes is a power forward that can't get playing time with the Grizzlies with JaMychal Green, Jeff Green, Zach Randolph and Brandan Wright all splitting minutes at the four spot.

The report added that Memphis is off to a very poor start for a team contending for the NBA Championship with a 3-5 record. According to ESPN, coach Dave Joerger is on the hot seat, but the arrival of Chalmers can help ease the pressure on Conley due to his championship experience.