Miami Heat extend qualifying offer to Mario Chalmers

The Miami Heat entered the bookkeeping portion of their schedule Wednesday by extending a qualifying offer to guard Mario Chalmers, an impending free agent.

By extending the qualifying offer of just over $1 million for the 2011-12 season, Chalmers becomes a restricted free agent, allowing the Heat to match outside offers, regardless of the salary-cap implications.

Mike Bibby, the other point guard who finished the season on the Heat roster, also will become a free agent July 1. Chalmers is the lone restricted free agent on the Heat roster.

Three other bookkeeping matters remain unresolved for the Heat, the player options forward James Jones, center Zydrunas Ilgauskas and guard Eddie House hold for next season. Those decisions must be made by June 30. Jones is expected to opt-in, with Ilgauskas likely to retire. House also could return.