Miami Heat Trade Rumors: Mario Chalmers Next Destination Is The Houston Rockets?

The Miami Heat had a good off-season as they were able to re-sign franchise player Dwyane Wade, and draft a promising rookie in Justise Winslow. Also, key members of the starting line-up in Goran Dragic, Luol, Deng, Hassan Whiteside, and Chris Bosh are returning as well.

However, long time Heat point guard Mario Chalmers may have to bid farewell to his squad. According to Bleacher Report, the Miami Heat are aggressively trying to move Mario Chalmers to avoid the luxury tax hit.

"If Chalmers somehow makes it to training camp with the Heat, he would be the obvious choice to back up Dragic," wrote Barry Jackson of Miami Herald. "But Miami appears intent on trying to purge the final year of his contract; his $4.3 million salary could result in a tax bill three times that amount, depending on the Heat's final payroll number."

"The Heat has time to move Chalmers, because a team's tax bill is based on the roster on the final day of the regular season, an NBA spokesman said. But Miami appears interested in moving as soon as it can find a suitable deal, according to a league official who has spoken to the Heat."

Who are the possible takers? Enter the Houston Rockets, who just recently acquired point guard Ty Lawson. As suggested by Grantland's Zach Lowe, Daryl Morey's squad could target Kansas star Mario Chalmers as he is labeled as "available for nothing."

Should they be able to acquire Chalmers, the Rockets will now have three more than capable point guards that can anchor their offense, which they sorely lacked last season. Lawson will likely be the starter while Patrick Beverley and Chalmers will be coming off the bench.

Last season, the point guard out of Kansas averaged 10.2 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per ball game.