Mario Chalmers

Chalmers is entering his sixth season in the NBA after completing a two-year deal in the offseason to remain in Miami. In 29 minutes per game last season, he averaged 9.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.2 blocks, and 1.2 three-pointers. The former Kansas Jayhawk is now a veteran and will have to take ownership of the Lebron James-sized hole left in the Heat's rotation. While he won't be solely responsible for the task of trying to replace James, the 28-year-old Chalmers may see more opportunities on the offensive side of the ball this season. He's spent the majority of his career yielding to the Big 3 in Miami and could now take on more of a role distributing the leather. With the oft-injured Dwyane Wade slowing down, this may become even more true for Chalmers needing to take on some the burden of the Heat's backcourt duties in 2014-15. He seems like the obvious starting point guard at this point, but if the team struggles, Chalmers might be looking over his shoulder at Norris Cole and Shabazz Napier, who may be able to offer head coach Erik Spoelstra more offensive firepower than Chalmers. However, the incumbent starting point guard has claimed his worth on the defensive side of the basketball, where he's finished in the top 20 of steals per game for the past three seasons.

Chalmers mainly serves as a complement to the Big 3 in Miami, but he still can be a capable, though inconsistent, scorer. He is locked in as the starter at point guard and shares time mainly with Norris Cole at the position. Chalmers shot 41 percent from three last season but did take a slight step back in only averaging 8.6 points per game. He is relatively far off the starting radar for fantasy purposes, but he can have occasional big games and is a threat on three-pointers.

Chalmers understandably gets overlooked playing alongside the troika of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, but he continues to remain a safe bet to get extended minutes because of the team’s limited depth at point guard. Chalmers logged over 35 minutes a game during the postseason, with his best moment coming in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, when he scored 25 points on a blistering 9-for-15 from the field to help lead the Heat to a 104-98 win over the Thunder. Chalmers may be a point guard in name only, but still managed to be a steady contributor when James and Wade weren’t handling the rock. He averaged 9.8 points and 3.5 assists per game, but he was perhaps most useful defensively, recording 1.5 steals per game. Chalmers further bolstered his value by knocking down 1.6 three-pointers per game, most often after being setup for a spot-up look from James or Wade. The injury-prone Wade has missed 15 or more games in four of his nine NBA seasons, and will be returning from a knee injury this season. If Wade is forced out of action for extended time again, Chalmers could be primed to assume a larger role in the Heat offense. The one thing that could threaten his playing time this season is how often the team opts to run a lineup that features Ray Allen off the ball with Wade or James serving as the point guard.

The Heat look forward to having Chalmers back this season after re-signing him to a 2-year deal. Chalmers, a fourth-year point guard and former Kansas Jayhawk, averaged 6.4 PPG, 2.5 assists and grabbed 1.1 steals for the Heat last season. He will likely take on the starting point guard role and will hopefully be a better compliment to the Big Three this year around.

With Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh on the floor, there won't be much for Miami's point guard to do… hang out by the three-point line, can the occasional wide-open jumper, harass opposing ball-handlers on defense. Chalmers is well-suited to the role. On defense he has quick hands (1.2 steals in just 24.8 minutes per game last season), and on offense he's a respectable three-point shooter whose percentage should only improve with Wade and LBJ drawing defensive attention and setting up open looks. He'll have to hold off veteran Carlos Arroyo to win the job, but should have the inside track.

Chalmers arrived in the NBA with a reputation for exceptionally quick hands on defense, and he didn’t disappoint, posting an average of 2.0 steals per game as a rookie. Like Mo Williams in Cleveland, Chalmers is listed as a point guard when starting lineups are announced, but he doesn’t really play a traditional point guard’s role because so much of Miami’s offense runs through Dwyane Wade. On the offensive end, Chalmers’ role is as an outlet who can spot up and drain the three. He hit from downtown at a .367 clip last season, making 114 shots from long distance on the season. Heading into year two, Chalmers’ role as Miami’s starting point guard is secure. He should improve across the board with a year’s worth of NBA experience on his resume, and will likely appear near the top of the NBA leaderboard in steals.

A second round draft pick out of Kansas, Chalmers brings an up-tempo style of play to the Heat. Chalmers shoots very well from the perimeter, plays excellent defense, and racks up steals and assists -- his defensive ability is what will get him minutes initially. Look for Chalmers' role so increase as the season progresses.

A second round draft pick out of Kansas, Chalmers brings an up-tempo style of play to the Heat. Chalmers shoots very well from the perimeter, plays excellent defense, and racks up steals and assists -- his defensive ability is what will get him minutes initially. Look for Chalmers' role so increase as the season progresses.