Free agent point guard Mario Chalmers, who’s coming off a season-ending Achilles injury, is preparing to make his return to the league, he tells Brian Windhorst of ESPN:
Spoke to Mario Chalmers tonight. He’s continuing to rehab after Achilles surgery in March. He said he’s about a month away from being ready. Several teams are staying in touch with him. The backup point guard market is thin, if he’s healthy he’ll be back in the league quickly.
Chalmers had a successful start to his career with the Heat after being drafted by the team in 2010, later moving on to win two NBA championships. He proved his worth during his time in Miami, serving as the starting point guard alongside lineups featuring LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.
During the team’s 2012-2013 championship campaign, Chalmers averaged 8.6 points per game while shooting an outstanding 41% from deep.
The Heat ultimately chose to trade Chalmers away after an inconsistent 2014-’15 season, sending him to Memphis last year for guard Beno Udrih. Chalmers would only play 55 games for the Grizzlies before suffering the Achilles injury, an injury which likely cost him a sum of money that could’ve come his way during this summer’s free agency circus.
Chalmers, 30, can still be a valuable piece for several teams seeking a back-up point guard once he becomes healthy.
The Cavaliers and Pistons, according to reports, have shown interest in adding Chalmers in recent weeks. But to no avail, Chalmers remains un-signed one week into the preseason, still recovering from a costly injury last year.
