Miami Heat rumors: Could Mario Chalmers be traded to Hornets?
By Bryan Rose
When the Miami Heat and Josh McRoberts verbally agreed to a contract earlier this week, it shocked many. It wasn’t that McRoberts was a bad signing, per say, but he likely wasn’t the type of talent that LeBron James was looking for when he informed the Miami Heat he wanted an improved roster to return.
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Even more strange was that the Miami Heat decided to give Josh McRoberts an alleged salary that will essentially be a mid-level exception type deal. However, according to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, the Heat might have a trick up their sleeve.
To preserve their mid-level exception, Kennedy suggests the Miami Heat may attempt to trade Mario Chalmers to the Charlotte Hornets. It obviously makes a ton of sense for the Heat, but what about Charlotte? Well, they’re not exactly a hot bed for free agent activity and they’re set to lose Josh McRoberts for nothing so it would at least give them an asset in return rather than coming out of the situation empty handed.
Such a move is likely a stretch as the Hornets probably don’t want to waste any of their cap space on a player like Chalmers, though it’s possible the Heat could attempt to lure them into a deal if they are to include other minor assets. It’s also questionable if the Hornets would want to help the Heat as well considering they’re likely expediting a LeBron James return to South Beach by helping with such a move.
Regardless, it’s an interesting proposition and smooth attempt on behalf of the Miami Heat if they’re able to get it done.