Jan 16, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers (15) drives in against Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Heat are trying to trade Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen in order to avoid a hefty luxury tax bill.
Next: Goran Dragic, Heat Agree to 5-Year Deal
After signing Goran Dragic to a deal that will pay him an average of $18 million annually, and a new contract for Dwyane Wade looking more likely, the Miami Heat are reportedly trying to unload some midlevel contracts in order to avoid a hefty luxury tax bill, according to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson.
"“A team that has spoken to the Heat said today that Miami is, in fact, trying to move contracts, as ESPN previously reported, because the Wade and Goran Dragic deals will push them into luxury tax territory. Chris Andersen ($5 million) and Mario Chalmers ($4.3 million) remain candidates to be dealt.There is some hesitation to dealing Josh McRoberts, who’s due $17 million over the next three seasons, because the Heat likes the skill set, and he offers protection should Miami be outbid for Hassan Whiteside next summer.”"
If Wade re-signs for something around $18 million per year, Miami will be about $13 million over the luxury tax threshold. That would tax them at $3.50 per dollar over the tax, resulting in more than a $30 million tax hit.
Trading Chalmers and Andersen, who are due $9.3 million between them, could save the Heat from paying nearly all of that tax bill.
With Shabazz Napier entering his second season with the Heat and Dragic re-signing, Chalmers becomes expendable. Meanwhile Andersen, 36, is increasingly breaking down, making his $5 million salary a tough swallow.
The Heat could also get under the tax threshold by trading McRoberts as well–assuming they don’t take any money back. But, as Jackson points out, the Heat are understandable hesitant to trade him away. McRoberts has a lot of skills–his shooting, defense and passing skills–that can be very valuable.
Also, if they were to trade away those three players, they would be unloading $15 million in salary but at the cost of three of their best bench players on the team.
If Wade re-signs, expect this story to be the next saga of this free agency summer.