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Free Agency: 5 Bargain Point Guards for Orlando Magic

By Brett David Roberts

Apr 15, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard D.J. Augustin (14) dribbles in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder beats the Minnesota Timberwolves 138-113. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard D.J. Augustin (14) dribbles in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder beats the Minnesota Timberwolves 138-113. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mario Chalmers 

Apr 4, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers (15) drives to the basket against Detroit Pistons forward Anthony Tolliver (43) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers (15) drives to the basket against Detroit Pistons forward Anthony Tolliver (43) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Mario Chalmers is a good, durable guard. The question is whether he is “bad enough” to be a backup behind a young guard like Elfrid Payton.

He started 37 games for the Heat of his 80 appearances last season, and posted 10 points and four assists per game. But the Heat also have their starting guard in Goran Dragic (assuming he re-signs with Miami).

Chalmers would make a good third guard to the rotation, and he is typically a good 3-point shooter having knocked down 36 percent through his career.

He struggled badly with his shooting last year, but that may help the Magic in getting a bargain. Chalmers is very good at controlling the pace of a game and a plus-defender who would complement the pestilence of Payton and Victor Oladipo in the backcourt.

Chalmers makes perfect sense, provided he would be willing to accept a back-up role. Chalmers split time with Norris Cole for the majority of his NBA career (even while winning NBA titles), and splitting time with a better guard like Payton may not be much of an issue with him.

It would definitely take a meeting with Chalmers to fully elucidate his role so as to prevent any issues with him being upset at a lack of playing time. He is a fringe starter, the most difficult type of talent to roster in some respects.

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