Report: Mario Chalmers returning to Heat on 2-year, $8.3M deal
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The Miami Heat may be missing the piece this coming season, but they're bringing back most of their core for 2014-15.
On Sunday, the team reached a two-year agreement with free agent point guard Mario Chalmers, according to a report from ESPN's Marc Stein. Chalmers himself confirmed the deal on Twitter.
Proud to say I'm back wit the heat. Heat nation we still here
— Mario Chalmers (@mchalmers15) July 13, 2014
Chalmers is expected to earn $8.3 million over the life of the deal, keeping him right in the line with the $4 million he earned in each of the past three seasons.
A six-year NBA veteran, Chalmers was acquired by the Heat on draft night in 2008 after being selected 34th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He's played in all but 37 of Miami's games since joining the franchise, averaging 8.6 points and 3.8 assists over those 439 contests.
While Chalmers isn't among the league's elite starting point guards - and may not even be the starter now that Shabazz Napier is in the fold - he's a solid hand and fits well as an above-average shooter who doesn't need the ball in his hands constantly to be effective.
This could spell the end of Norris Cole in Miami, as he and his $2.04 million contract represent an overpay for a third point guard. The Heat will surely explore if there's a market for him.