Denver Nuggets reportedly ink Mike Miller to a two-year deal
Veteran Mike Miller is staying in Denver, reportedly agreeing to sign a two-year deal with the Nuggets that’s worth somewhere north of $5 million.
Keeping Miller with the Nuggets is probably a good move. Despite a career-low 7.9 minutes per game last season, he seems to be adding a valuable veteran presence in the locker room.
Having that type of an experienced, stabilizing force is something that is essential for a team with so many young players.
The signing doesn’t come as too much of a surprise. Nuggets coach Mike Malone made it abundantly clear that he wanted to keep Miller around back in April.
“I just can’t speak enough about his work ethic, his example that he sets every day,” Malone told the Denver Post. “Mike Miller is in here, working hard, setting the example. I don’t think you can have enough guys like that… I think he’s been a tremendous help for me, the staff and all of our players. I hope he’s a Nugget for a while.”
“If I have to make him an assistant coach, player-coach, whatever,” Malone joked. “Mike Miller has been tremendous.”
The only question at the time seemed to be whether or not Miller’s body would hold up well enough, at 36, to keep playing in the league.
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“Everybody wants to play more,” Miller told the Denver Post. “But my job is whatever they tell me to do. I’d love to play a lot more, but sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. But I’m going into the offseason, my body feels fantastic, it’s one of those years where my body is rebuilt. So, I feel good and I know I can help, so we’ll see what happens.”
The former Florida Gator was the NBA’s 2001 Rookie of the Year, while playing for the Orlando Magic.
Miller has spent his career bouncing around the league. Traded from the Magic to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2003, he’s also previously spent time with the Timberwolves, the Wizards, the Heat, and the Cavs.
Miller is said to be remain close with former teammate LeBron James. The pair won two NBA championships together in Miami, and played together in Cleveland a couple seasons ago.
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