July 19: The signing is official, according to a team press release.
July 18: Mario Chalmers is finalizing a one-year, partially guaranteed contract to return to the Grizzlies, as first reported by Adrian Wojnarowksi of ESPN (via Twitter). The 31-year-old made 55 appearances in a Grizzlies uniform during the 2015/16 season before rupturing his right Achilles tendon. Memphis waived Chalmers after he suffered the potentially career-threatening injury.
For seven-and-a-half seasons, Chalmers was the starting point guard for the Heat, helping the team win back-to-back NBA Finals in 2012 and 2013 alongside Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh. Miami traded Chalmers in November 2015, sending him along with James Ennis, to the Grizzlies in exchange for Jarnell Stokes and Beno Udrih. In his 55-game cameo with the Grizzlies, Chalmers posted a career-best 10.8 PPG before suffering the injury.
For his career, Chalmers has averaged 9.0 PPG and 3.8 APG in 580 games. If the veteran point guard can regain his pre-injury form, he could provide solid minutes off the bench and championship experience.
Terms of the deal aren’t yet known, but a minimum salary pact appears very likely for Chalmers.
I always hated the Heat but this guy was the exception. He plays hard and has great character. I hope he comes back fine and can continue to ball.
Off the bench for a couple 3’s yea sure.
The Grizzlies will be sleepers like always. They picked up Godzorac who looks like he can play meaningful minutes off the bench as a backup for Parsons or maybe he could even start. They need to re-sign Green though, Fizdale will feature him way more now with Randolph gone.
You know he also plays a little defense.
Great to see Rio healthy and back in the league.
Wish the Heat picked him up to be our 3rd point guard.
Me too, not sure we could afford him though