Since last season, there's been one shooting guard who I thought would be an excellent fit for the Sixers. Mike Miller is the knock-down shooter the team has desperately needed. He has great size for the position, doesn't need to dominate the ball to get his numbers and crashes the boards. The problem, to this point, has been the competition the Sixers would face from other teams if Miller became available via trade. After looking at his recent numbers, I'm wondering if that's still the case.
Miller has been battling back and leg problems for nearly the entire season. In fact, health concerns probably had something to do with his trade to the T-Wolves, and the lack of an extension from Minnesota since he landed there.
Check out these stats: Since December 1st, Miller has missed 9 games due to injury. In the 13 games he has played, he's only scored in double digits three times. His minutes have dropped from 34.9 (In November) to 25.8 (in January).
In fact, Rodney Carney has leapfrogged Rashad McCants in the rotation and he's eating into Miller's minutes (Carney has averaged 23 minutes/game in Jan.)
So here's the question. Presumably, the teams who would be interested in Miller would be teams who believe they're close, like a piece away from something (the playoffs, division title, contention). If that's the case, would they really be interested in this version of Mike Miller? Would the injuries and the lack of production scare some of those teams off, thus dropping the asking price for him?
From Minnesota's perspective, does the emergence of Carney make Miller's $18.75M contract ($9M this season, $9.75M next season) no longer palatable?
If Kevin McHale even has a small inkling that he wants to move Miller, I think you have to take your best shot. There has to be some kind of a deal that can land you Miller for Dalembert, maybe a third team would have to be involved, maybe not. This is a classic example of buying low. Time to work the phones, Ed.
I just noticed Miller's decline in production as well, Brian. Interesting, indeed.
With the size of Miller's contract, it kinda looks like we'd need a third team to make a trade involving Dalembert a reality. I might be wrong, but it seems unlikely they'd trade Miller straight up for him.
Maybe my dream of a Sammyless sixers will come true????
I read something yesterday that said that when they watched mike miller move on the court they thought the game was in slow motion - that's not exactly something I like to hear or read about a guy the sixers would obtain.
I don't watch a lot of Timberwolves games so I don't know how he really looks. Of the 'names' available - he's the best career 3 point shooter who could be 'gettable' by the sixers I think. If his play is declining or injury factors in that's the thing that the front office will know a lot better.
As for what Kevin McHale would do - who ever knows what that crazy man would do?
Even w/ injury and production concerns, isn't it worth the risk if they can swing a Miller for Sammy deal?
Well yeah - but is Kevin McHale really that bad a GM to make that deal? I don't know any more - plus it's possible Kevin McHale is in a 'freeze' state - i.e. Glen Taylor said - this is the roster you built - the one you said you could win with - so go win or get fired. I'm not sure the T'wolves are players until after the season, but we'll see, i have no knowledge or insight besides a gut feeling that maybe McHales on a 'prove it or lose it' type thing right now
I think if you take Cardinal and Miller back, you may be able to make the deal work. The extra 25% in salary would have to go to the Sixers, so it would save the T-Wolves money this season and next season.
Except that if the wolves are considering the '2010' maneuvering' - Sam's contract is longer...so you might have to include a first round pick - plus in terms of 'perceived value' - i think miller is the highest of the 3 players involved - so the sixers are getting the 'best' player in the deal and the shorter contracts...you might have to incentivize - no one mentions it - but according to storytellers...the wolves have a lot of '10' expriing deals...
Too bad no free agent in their right mind would go to cold, boring Minnesota.
The home of Prince and.........the Mall of America?
Free agents (most of them) are going to go to the places that make them the biggest offers
Yeah, seems like Cardinal and the $13 mil he's owed over the next two years would have to be part of the deal. I have a gut feeling some kind of deal is possible with these guys, but working it out without a third team could be difficult. I really want Sammy out, but not if we have to give up too much in the process.
According to ESPN's trade machine, a deal of Dalembert and Jason Smith for Mike Miller and Brian Cardinal would work under the cap. It would also save Minnesota about $4M next season and a prorated portion of that same number (actually a little more) this season. Financially, it makes sense for them if they think Dalembert has a place on their team. The only non-rookie, long-term deal they have is Al Jefferson. Even with Dalembert they'd have a ton of cap space for the next two season.
Sorry, forgot the link.
McHale was relieved of his GM duties and now is coaching right?
I think he's doing both, isn't he?
Maybe I just dreamed that up...