LeBron James’ former Miami Heat teammate wants to play for the Lakers

A former teammate of LeBron James looking to sneak onto the Los Angeles Lakers

Prior to Sunday evening, everything appeared to be going swimmingly for the Los Angeles Lakers down at the Walt Disney World bubble. And then, news broke that starting point guard Rajon Rondo will be sidelined for six-to-eight weeks due to a fractured thumb. This leaves the Lakers in quite the predicament, as backup point man Avery Bradley bowed out of participating in the NBA restart.

In light of the big news, former Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers let it be known that he’s ready to help ex-teammate LeBron win a title.

Mario Chalmers’s generous offer will likely be declined

While you can give major props to Chalmers for offering to do the Lakers a solid by rebuilding his chemistry with James, it’s unlikely. Even though Rondo is sidelined, the Lakers are ineligible from signing a replacement player.

Chalmers has been out of the NBA since the conclusion of the 2017-18 season, where he was a member of the Memphis Grizzlies. Through 66 games that season, Chalmers averaged 7.7 points, 3.0 assists and 2.4 rebounds, while shooting 37.9% from the field. It’s important to note that Chalmers was nothing more than a bench option for the Grizzlies that year.

Following his selection by the Heat in the 2008 NBA Draft, Chalmers benefitted greatly from the arrival of James and Chris Bosh in 2010 via free agency. After the superstars moved down to South Beach, Chalmers made the NBA Finals in four consecutive seasons and hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy twice.

We’re sure that the Lakers are appreciative of Chalmers’ offer, but it’s something they can’t do right now. Expect Quinn Cook to earn significant starting minutes at the beginning of the NBA restart. That, or James starts at point guard just like he did during his 2018 playoff run with the Cleveland Cavaliers.