Free agent Mario Chalmers is set to return to the Memphis Grizzlies. The team is finalizing a one year deal to bring back the veteran point guard. Sources from ESPN stated that the deal is close to being finalized.
Coming off an injury
Mario Chalmers will be experiencing some discomfort and will have to get back into physical shape after suffering a ruptured Achilles Tendon. There is no question that he will have to work diligently to play great basketball again. For some athletes, a ruptured Achilles Tendon is a significant and difficult injury to come back from.
Chalmers missed all of last season due to the injury. He will hopefully come back strong next season and help bring the Grizzlies to the playoffs.
Two years ago, Chalmers averaged about 11 points per game in 55 games for the Memphis Grizzlies.
The deal
The deal would bring back Chalmers to the team that he played well for in the 2015-16 season, although it would only be a partially guaranteed salary. In addition, it will allow Chalmers to reunite with head coach, David Fizdale, who was an assistant on the Miami Heat for seven seasons and who worked closely with the player.
Chalmers will be coming back to play as a bench player for the team. They are being cautious by signing him to a one year deal to see how he performs on the court since his injury.
History
Chalmers' off-balance buzzer-beater to send the 2008 NCAA championship game into overtime will forever be remembered by the city of Memphis. Mario Chalmers would go on to win the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player award for his part in Kansas beating the University of Memphis.
People have not forgotten that the point guard was an integral piece of the puzzle for the Miami Heat team that won two championships.
Chalmers played well alongside the "Big 3" of LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade. Chalmers dazzled in the open floor, hitting mid-range jumpers and driving and finishing at the rim in Miami.
He was also able to spread the floor and shoot from the three-point line at a decent clip. Chalmers was also pretty quick and was able to get through opposing players.
The question is if he can still do that again after his injury.
The Miami Heat have been signing prior key players back to their team to compete next season. So, the present Miami Heat team is doing just fine on its own without Mario Chalmers.
Questions for the Grizzlies organization
The Memphis Grizzlies need some key players as they lost valuable players during the offseason. They lost star Zach Randolph to the Sacramento Kings. The team will surely miss Z-Bo's presence in the paint, rebounding, along with shooting mid-range jumpers all over the court.
The team also lost veteran Vince Carter to the Kings. They will miss his shooting from the three-point line and mentoring young players.
However, the Grizzlies still have great center Marc Gasol, point guard Mike Conley, and formidable defensive player Tony Allen.
They will be looking to make the playoffs again next season and hopefully get past the first round. It will be a challenge for them as they are in the powerful Western Conference.
Chandler Parsons is a question for the organization going forward. Parsons has not been the same player that he was many years ago. Generally speaking, he has not been productive for the team on the offensive side of the ball or even on the defensive end. He has been a liability for the team.
The issue with the team is that they do not have a lot of cap space remaining, so they will not have money left over to sign other great players. But at least they got Mario Chalmers back.
