NBA: 5 BIG3 players who deserve a roster spot next season

3. Mario Chalmers

Earlier this decade, Mario Chalmers was the starting point guard on a Miami Heat team that went to four consecutive NBA Finals.

While not the engine to those superteams led by the Big Three, Rio played a crucial and at times vital role as a complementary piece alongside his superstar teammates.

Standing only 6’2”, Rio isn’t exactly built to cover multiple positions defensively, which limits when and against whom he can see court time. Don’t mistake his size, however, for a lack of effort at that end of the floor.

Even after tearing his Achilles back in 2016, Chalmers is both feisty and aggressive when it comes time to slow down his matchup;

During his time down in South Beach, Chalmer’s ability to space the court was crucial in allowing LeBron James and Dwyane Wade to be at their best. He’s a career 35.1 percent shooter from beyond the arc, unafraid to let it fly with several big-time makes to his name.

Chalmers wasn’t just along for Miami’s ride to back-to-back championships. Littered throughout those title runs were timely performances from the often forgotten point guard.

He scored 25 in Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012 and was the Heat’s second-leading scorer with 20 in their famous Game 6 victory over the San Antonio Spurs the following year.

This is a guy who’s experienced the highest level of competition only to come out the other side relatively unscathed.

If he’s got nothing left to provide on the court, Chalmers’ experience can still be of use to a locker room as a prime example of what it means to sacrifice for the greater good of a team.