The Miami Heat are bringing back one of their own. Mario Chalmers has signed a 10-day contract with the organization in a move first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Per the Heat, Chalmers will wear his familiar No. 15 as well, the jersey he sported for the Heat from 2008-15. Aside from adding Chalmers, Miami also signed forward Chris Silva and guard Nik Stauskas to 10-day deals as well Friday.
Chalmers, who last played in April of 2018, will reunite with the franchise under the hardship exemption as Miami deals with injuries and Health and Safety Protocols.
The Heat’s game against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday was postponed because they were unable to meet the league’s requirement of eight available players.
Chalmers, 35, spent the first seven-plus seasons of his career in Miami, winning two championships as the starting point guard. He appeared in 525 career games with Miami, averaging 8.8 ppg, 3.8 apg and 2.4 rpg while shooting 42.2% overall. He ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders in steals (second), games played (fourth), assists (fourth), three-point field goals made (fourth), minutes (sixth) and starts (seventh).
Silva played one game for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season and played for the Heat from 2019-21, appearing in 55 games. He previously started 12 games for the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League.
Stauskas played 12 games for the Grand Rapids Gold of the G League and last played in the NBA during the 2018-19 season for the Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers. He has played five seasons in the NBA and averaged 6.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 1.5 apg while shooting 35.3% on 3-pointers.
Chalmers joins a list of NBA veterans, including Joe Johnson, Lance Stephenson and Isaiah Thomas, to make a return as teams across the league attempt to fill roster spots. Chalmers, Stephenson and Thomas each played for the Grand Rapids Gold — the Denver Nuggets’ G League affiliate, coached by NBA veteran Jason Terry — before being called up.
Miami’s next game is scheduled for Friday against the Houston Rockets.
