Report: Heat Trying to Trade Chalmers, Birdman

The Miami Heat is shopping Mario Chalmers and Chris "Birdman" Andersen, according to ESPN, in an effort to free up more salary to pay Dwyane Wade.

According to multiple league sources, the Heat are currently attempting to trade both guard Mario Chalmers and big man Chris Andersen to help free up some salary that could ultimately be diverted to Wade. Both going into the final years of their contracts, Andersen and Chalmers are contracted to make a combined $9.3 million next season.

Although Miami can offer Wade a one-year maximum salary of $23.5 million next season there could be serious luxury tax ramifications down the line. Shedding salary could help appease that while boosting their offer to Wade, which is initially believed to be at about $10 million per season over three years.

Wade has an option to opt out of his current deal by next Monday, one that that would pay him $16.5 million next season. The report also stated Wade and the Heat are "planning to meet within the next week to address contract issues and attempt to reach an agreement on the future."

Chalmers and Birdman are making 4.3 million and $5.0 million, respectively, next year.

-- Josh Baumgard (@joshbaumgard)

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• NBA
• Dwyane Wade
• Miami Heat