NBA Rumors: Will Miami Heat Make a Trade With Return of Mike Miller?

Mike Miller is just a few days away from making his Miami Heat debut.

But when the three-point specialist returns, will he make another Heat player unneeded? 

Keep in mind that the Heat were granted an injury exception for Udonis Haslem. That means they have a $1.75 million exception to the salary cap to use before Jan. 6 in order to sign a player through free agency or acquire one through trade.

There are a few possible options, so let's review them.

James Jones Gets Traded

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 10: James Jones #22 of the Miami Heat reacts after a basket during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on December 10, 2010 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

James Jones and Miller are almost identical.

Both are 6-feet-8-inches tall, both weigh about 215 pounds and both are strong forwards.

And they both specialize in shooting the trey ball. 

Since Haslem went down with an injury, Jones has played well on defense, drawing several charges in his absence.

He also is shooting the three ball at 44.5 percent, the best of his career. 

But when Miller returns, how much will Jones' role decrease?

In his last five games he has only averaged 4.2 points per game, despite averaging 7.2 on the season. 

Over their respective careers, Miller has been the much better player.

Jones' value is probably at its highest ever, and the Heat could attempt to deal him for a big man.

Mario Chalmers Gets Traded

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MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 13: Mario Chalmers #15 of the Miami Heat brings the ball up the floor during a game against the New Orleans Hornets at American Airlines Arena on December 13, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agre

What if the Heat decide Jones is too valuable to trade?

Then Mario Chalmers might be the man finding himself on the outs. 

Both Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are capable of bringing the ball up when a true point guard isn't on the court.

Chalmers' stats on the season are awful; 4.6 points a game, 2.2 assists and a 37.6 shooting percentage. 

However, his last five games have shown potential. 

He has been playing 28 minutes a game in that span and averaging 8.8 points, 2.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds. 

His uptick in minutes has to make you wonder if the Heat are showcasing him for a trade, and at 24 years of age there is a lot of upside for Chalmers.

However, he may have to be paired with another player in order to get a valuable return for the Heat.

Carlos Arroyo Gets Traded

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MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 06: Carlos Arroyo #8 of the Miami Heat passes the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center on December 6, 2010 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Heat defeated the Bucks 88-78. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

If the Heat decide to hold onto Chalmers, then Carlos Arroyo may find himself being shopped around.

At 31, Arroyo is a veteran who is averaging 6.9 points and 2.2 assists. 

What might make him more appealing than Chalmers to an inquiring team is that he is shooting nearly 10 percentage points better from the field. 

Arroyo is also shooting over 50 percent from three-point range, which is by far the best of his career.

He could definitely have appeal to a team looking for a veteran point guard to help lead an offense.

For the Heat to get an impact player, they may have to pair two of these guys together.