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New-look Mario Chalmers working out for teams following NBA Draft

By Quenton S. Albertie

Dec 26, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mario Chalmers (6) stands on the court during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mario Chalmers (6) stands on the court during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Can a new-look Mario Chalmers stick with the Cleveland Cavaliers after a summertime workout?

Mario Chalmers is sporting a different look, with cornrows reminiscent of Kawhi Leonard, but wants to show his ability to play hasn’t changed. When he works out for teams following the 2017 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers should be in attendance.

According to KUsports.com, Chalmers will start working out for NBA teams following the 2017 NBA Draft. Following LeBron James’ call for the Cleveland Cavaliers to add a playmaker, ESPN’s Chris Haynes reported that Chalmers would work out for the Cavs in a group setting in early February. However, the workout didn’t lead to him, or any player from the workout, signing with the Cavs.

Speaking to KUsports.com after playing at the Rock Chalk Roundball classic with former NBA players like Ben McLemore, Wayne Selden, Drew Gooden, Cole Aldrich and Jeff Withey, Chalmers had this to say about what that workout was like:

"“During that workout, I felt like within myself I wasn’t really able to contribute like I wanted to,” said Chalmers, a two-time champion with the Miami Heat. “I wasn’t going to be same person that they expected me to be. I just decided to take the whole year off.”"

As Chalmers tore his Achilles at the end of the 2015-2016 season, while playing for the Memphis Grizzlies, it’s not surprising that he was physically cleared to play but not comfortable with his ability to perform. The first year after a player returns from a serious injury is a feel-out year for them as they try to make sure they can play with the same type of burst and explosion that they used to.

While Chalmers is known as a three-point specialist on offense from his role with the Miami Heat during the LeBron James Era (Chalmers shot 38.7 percent from three-point range from the 2010-2011 season to the 2013-2014 season), he’s been capable of attacking the rim, where he has a solid layup package. Chalmers also has a reputation as a quality defender on the perimeter. An ability to explode laterally (or forward) in short bursts is key for both getting and stopping dribble-penetration.

The Cleveland Cavaliers would have expected him to contribute as he’s always done.

Make plays from behind-the-line as a three-point threat; use his length, defensive instincts and quick hands to rack up steals; perform well in clutch moments. In the second unit, use his ability to get to the rim and his experience as a lead guard to create for himself and others.

For his career, Chalmers has averaged 9.0 points, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 42.1 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from three-point range.

After James left the Heat, Chalmers struggled from behind-the-line and only made 30.0 percent of his three-point attempts. However, Chalmers has a solid reputation in the league and only has three seasons shooting below 35.9 percent from three-point range, including his last two seasons. Therefore, Chalmers shooting from the 2014-2015 to the 2015-2016 season is likely seen as an aberration rather than an indicating that his three-point shot has fallen flat for good.

For comparison, Deron Williams was shooting 34.8 percent from behind-the-line before being signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers. With that said, Chalmers’ career numbers should suffice.

For what it’s worth, 25.1 percent of Williams’ three-point attempts were defined as open (no defender within 4-6 feet of the shot attempt) and wide open (no defender within six feet of the shot attempt) so many open three-point attempts before the All-Star break and prior to his time with the Cavs. 31.5 percent of his three-point shots were open or wide open after the All-Star break.

Williams shot 33.5 percent from three-point range prior to All-Star break and 41.5 percent after it.

Overall, his three-point percentage went up to 36.3 percent for the 2016-2017 season after he shot 41.5 percent from three-point range in 24 games for Cleveland.

Must Read: Deron Williams and the Utah Jazz have mutual interest

Nonetheless, the Cleveland Cavaliers will need to find a player to replace Williams, who will be a free agent, in the offseason.

Chalmers, Jordan Farmar, Raymond Felton, Shelvin Mack and Jose Calderon are the veteran point guards who the Cleveland Cavaliers will likely express interest in this summer as they look to replace Williams. Out of the trio, Chalmers and Farmar have the best mix of offensive and defensive ability and, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Farmar was the top performer at the group workout the Cleveland Cavaliers held in February and was given assurances that if anyone was signed out of that group, it would be him.

In any case, Chalmers will almost certainly have another shot at being signed by the Cavs in the summer with his skillset and his experience playing point guard on a James-led team.

The Cavs are fully immersed in the 2017 NBA Finals. They still need to re-sign general manager David Griffin after the Finals are over. However, James and the Cavs now have a familiar name to add to the list of point guards that could be a valuable piece of next season’s puzzle.

Related Story: Playing 'Pass or Keep' with Cavs' future free agents

Would you want the Cleveland Cavaliers to sign Mario Chalmers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.