Former Miami Heat point guard Mario Chalmers goes for a layup against the Utah Jazz in this file photo. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Miami Heat has recently sent two-time NBA champion point guard Mario Chalmers and forward James Ennis to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for point guard Beno Udrih, power forward Jarnell Stokes, and a future second-round draft pick.
Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, who confirmed the report just hours ago, noted that the Heat had achieved their objective of luxury tax relief with the deal, saving $6 million in the process, while the Grizzlies used part of their trade exception to absorb Ennis' contract.
The trade almost did not push through as the Heat were still looking for a third team to unload the contracts of Udrih and Stokes while finalizing the deal on Tuesday afternoon. However, Miami decided to just go ahead with the deal directly to the Grizz, adding Ennis into it as a sweetener to make it possible.
ESPN reported seven days ago about the Grizzlies' interest on Chalmers as David Joerger's squad was off to a shaky start to the 2015-2016 regular season.
One 30-point loss and another 50-point blowout to NBA finalists Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors respectively prompted team officials to look for suitable reinforcement specifically behind starting point guard Mike Conley Jr. and Chalmers' name was the first one mentioned.
Right now, the Grizzlies are fourth from the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 3-5 record and the team is urgently looking to save the season and make sure that they will be prominent playoff contenders once more.
Chalmers averaged a career-best 10.2 points per game for Miami last season, including 2.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists averages in 29.6 minutes of play per night. He was replaced by Goran Dragic in the Heat's starting lineup when they acquired the Slovenian before last season's trade deadline.
Dragic's ascent plus the summer acquisitions of youngsters Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson slowly made Chalmers indispensable in the lineup as he was dangled in the trading block during the offseason.
Finally, the right deal for the Heat arrived and Chalmers was off to Memphis.
