Rumors: Mike Miller Next?

by jlagace on Feb 12, 2008 11:12 AM PST Comment 19 comments

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=7356

Mike Miller To Miami?: Pencil Mike Miller as the next guy traded, or so he believes. Miller has told people close to him that he fully expects to be traded before the Feb. 21st trade deadline, and according to sources close to the situation it's likely going to be to Miami for Jason Williams' ending contract or Ricky Davis depending on who you talk to. Nothing is ever done until it's done, but if Miami does trigger the deal, the HEAT will have radically improved themselves without ever hitting free agency. Why would Memphis consider such a move? Word is the Grizz would get cash from Miami in the deal and ultimately buyout Jason shedding yet another guaranteed deal and setting up the Grizz to be one of the biggest players in free agency (and likely Chicago's biggest nemesis in keeping Ben Gordon). The HEAT are not the only team with eyes for Mike Miller, there are other suitors (Miller could be Dallas' fallback plan). It seems if the HEAT and Grizz are serious about a deal, there doesn't appear to be much in the way of it happening before the 21st.

If the Heat are the frontrunners in the Mike Miller sweepstakes and all they're offering up is Jason Williams' $9mil expiring contract, the Warriors should definitely get into the mix.

Obviously, Jason Williams as the point guard brings nothing to Memphis considering they have young talented point guards to develop in Conley, Lowry, and Crittenton; his expiring contract is the selling point.

If shedding payroll is all that Memphis is trying to do here, sending us Mike Miller for the TPE, draft picks, and cash consideration should be far more attractive to them. It would be a better deal for them business-wise because they reduce their payroll by $9 million right now. By trading for Jason Williams instead, they'd still have to pay his $9 mil salary at the end of the season and then he'd be off of the books.

In terms of basketball moves, adding Mike Miller could do nothing but good for our squad. He's everything we wanted Mike Dunleavy to be (what he is right now) and could provide our players with some rest by taking minutes at SG and SF. Here's what we could end up with:

Baron 36 / Ellis 12
Miller 24 / Ellis 24
Jackson 36 / Miller 12
Webber 12 / Harrington 24 / Barnes 12
Biedrins 36 / Harrington 12

Plenty of depth, plenty of size, and plenty of offensive firepower off the bench with Ellis and Harrington stepping into the "6th man scorer" roles.

In terms of financial outlook, I'm not quite sure how this would impact our abilities to re-sign Ellis or Biedrins in the offseason. In the unlikely event that Cohan lets our payroll go into luxury tax zone for Biedrins and Ellis, we'll be fine. Keep in mind we'd only be in the luxury tax for that season, after that Adonal Foyle's buyout salary comes off of the books and we'll be sitting pretty in terms of payroll salary.

Another option I see is if either Biedrins or Ellis are willing to sign on for next year for their restricted free agency qualifying offers, with the "faith in the organization" of knowing that we'll hook them up with nice fatty contracts once Foyle comes off the books and they become unrestricted free agents.

Either way, Mike Miller is too good of a player for the Warriors not to try to have some interest in, especially if Memphis is shopping him around for so cheap.

Poll

get Mike Miller for the TPE?

No, we have to make 100% sure we keep Biedrins and Ellis

37 votes

Yes, make use of that TPE!!!

63 votes

No, Mike Miller sucks

5 votes

105 votes | Poll has closed

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

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for the stat junkies

Mike Miller 07-08 Season Stats

MPG: 38min
FG%: 51%
3PT%: 43%
FT%: 80%
RPG: 6.6
APG: 3.7
TOPG: 2.9
PPG: 17.0

Efficient scorer, lights-out 3point shooter, good rebounder, Team USA recognition, established veteran.

by jlagace on Feb 11, 2008 4:41 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Miller is the bomb

but don't we need D more than more than offensive firepower? Do you have a trade idea that would help us where we need help?

CWebb is undoubtedly the answer but I forgot the question.

by commish on Feb 11, 2008 5:43 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

what we need

It's no secret that we need help on D and rebounding. But we all also know that getting Baron some rest is also a big need.

Although Miller won't provide PG relief for Baron directly, just having the extra offensive firepower on the court when Baron sits could be vital. The whole reason we can't rest Baron much is because our offense seems to die without him on the floor. If we could have Ellis, Miller, and Harrington on the court when Baron and Jackson rest then maybe our offense wouldn't struggle as much and Baron could rest more.

by jlagace on Feb 11, 2008 12:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Also

In this scenario, we'd still keep Pietrus, POB, and Perovic as trading chips to try to trade away and improve our team in defense and rebounding (Kurt Thomas anyone?)

by jlagace on Feb 11, 2008 12:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I like miller

but like commish said D is what we need but if we can dump mp2 off I would.

win or lose... playoffs or lottery... i gotta luv them dubz! GSW 4 Life!!!

by gogomaplata on Feb 11, 2008 6:52 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

What about Monta?

Don't stand in this man's way. I don't think I like any trade that is going to limit the Mississippi Lightening's minutes. He's doing to well right now.

by WilliamVanLandingham on Feb 11, 2008 7:38 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Monta

Nobody is standing the man's way in this scenario. If you look at my estimated depth chart, Monta would still be getting his 36 minutes per night. He's going to have to be able to take some minutes at PG, and Miller's going to have to take some minutes at SF, but Monta will still get his minutes. We could even get him more minutes still if we go small and Jackson slides to the 4 and Miller slides to the 3.

And he'll be getting his minutes at a more opportune time. I've been a firm believer that Monta is the ideal 6th man candidate. Him coming off the bench (but still getting starter-like minutes) would be best for him because it allows him to go in there and focus primarily on what he does best: scoring. The timing of his minutes ensures that he sees less time against the opposing teams' shooting guard as much as possible.

by jlagace on Feb 11, 2008 12:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i agree with

KeepRunnin, we need to get monta the ball more often, because he is our one man fast break. This kid is playing amazing right now, and to cut his playing time would be a bad move. im more in favor for a Leon Powe movement! hahah

by lowchi on Feb 11, 2008 8:50 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

also

nobody can guard him, NOT EVEN HIMSELF!

What you thought that I only played basketball? I AM A Golden State WARRIOR!

by 24k state fan since 87 on Feb 11, 2008 11:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I would be in favor of this trade

if and only if, this doesn't get in the way of re-signing our Monta and Beans next season.

While we need some help defensively, I think our 3pt shooting could also use some boost. I mean, we wouldn't stop shooting them so why not have one who's really a lights out shooter instead of Baron and Barnes hoisting those.

He's a veteran so I would assume Nellie won't have a problem playing him. And he can be our designated scorer once the starters sit.

by lightz0ut on Feb 11, 2008 10:46 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

asdf

miller would definitely bring a new confidence to the team. when the team starts settling for outside jumpers, miller is lights out. he should raise the confidence level of everyone. like barnett says, when someone starts making shots, it becomes contagious. for the warriors, it's always been about outscoring our opponents. miller would be a great addition.

it's all about the fist pump.

by the noTORious TOR on Feb 11, 2008 10:54 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Miller bringing new confidence??

Miller has never been a leader - confidence builder. His track record is a loner! Baron/Jax run the team...Miller would be as outside as Pietrus - and as streaky as the rest of us on the team.

by streetballer on Feb 11, 2008 3:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes to Miller, No to using TPE

I think Miller would be a perfect 6th man for Nellie. It gives him someone who can score big if needed, get some rebounds, and even play point forward.

But using the TPE does seem like it'd be detrimental to our re-signing AB and Monta next offseason, especially if we need to stay out of lux tax. A combination of expiring contracts and a draft pick, then, would be ideal. How about Pietrus, Barnes, O'Bryant, and a 2008 1st rounder?

by ffgolden on Feb 11, 2008 11:41 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'm a fool

There's no difference between the two scenarios as far as next year's salary issues go. Trading those three guys for Miller and then letting the TPE expire is the same as trading the TPE for Miller and letting those three guys expire. The only difference would be for this year: they'd be over the lux tax by the end of the season with an addition of Miller through the TPE, though I'm not sure when the payout actually happens.

by ffgolden on Feb 11, 2008 11:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ffgolden in the house.

Glad to see you posting again, I thought you might be boycotting the W's for cutting Mbenga after you made that sweet webpin.

On topic, I'd be real hesitant to add any long term salary using the TPE or expiring contracts knowing that we will be pressed hard against the luxury tax next year while trying to retain our young guys. Monta is proving himself to be a keeper and probably playing himself into a big payday. Losing AB would be a disaster and Baron may still opt out as well.

If ownership would give the ok to hit the luxury tax for one year (next year) then this would be a great time to pick up talent on the cheap. Of course Cohan is going to be very hesitant to do that, but most owners are.

. WERD

by olympicmike on Feb 11, 2008 4:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks OM

I'm still lurking about. But yeah, Banger was cut way too quickly for the bit of work I put into this webpin! Don't they have to consult the fans about these things?! Now that he's a Laker I'll have to switch it up.

BTW, agree with everything you said. I wouldn't be surprised if the brass does too, meaning we won't be too active at the trade deadline.

by ffgolden on Feb 11, 2008 7:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs