Whether Brad Miller is available is up for debate. One executive said his team was told by the Kings that they were not interested in Miller talks, a strange notion in a strange season, while an exec from another club said he very much got the impression that the Sacramento front office would welcome Miller conversations.


Obviously a bad cell connection somewhere. Geoff Petrie is not one of those flip-flopping personnel bosses who plays games and aggravates peers with an inability/refusal to deal directly. He is well regarded as someone as straightforward behind the scenes as in public.

But let's say Miller has to become available eventually, if he isn't already. Just has to be. The season is going nowhere fast, Miller isn't part of the next generation, Spencer Hawes has quickly developed into a worthy successor at center, and Mikki Moore (for his defense) or Jason Thompson (for his offense, for his potential to get the job one day anyway) could replace Hawes at power forward.


When the time comes, the Kings apparently will be met by underwhelming offers. Reps of four teams agree. No miscommunication there.

The problem: Miller is credible -- 11.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 45.2 percent from the field, experienced in the playoffs in another appeal to the clubs that would be most interested -- but he's on the books for $11.375 million this season and $12.25 mil next. A big salary for anyone, huge for someone who would be acquired as a complementary piece. Plus, he's 32.

The assessment on the return the Kings could expect:

A top executive: "It'll be interesting. For his age, he's a highly paid player now. He's been a very good player in the league. He could still help teams. But that's a big contract to take on. If they do trade him, I don't think they're going to get a heck of a lot for him. But he's still an effective player."

A top executive: "Cap relief. You might get one young player, a couple picks. A pick, maybe. It's not like he's an All-Star. And it's not like he's going to help every team. But he'd be great to have in the right kind of offense."

A veteran scout, speaking to the Miller market more than the personnel decision itself: "The easy way to approach it is, look at the draft every year. Big guys always go. You'd be getting a big guy who has proven he can play, proven he can shoot, proven he can pick-and-pop. Who doesn't want a skilled big man? Those guys are hard to find."

A top executive: "I wouldn't think he would bring a lot. All of the sudden, people will start talking scenarios - maybe he would be a difference maker on a team vying for a championship. I don't know if he's that or not. ... I don't know if you get a couple young pieces and a pick. Maybe a couple young pieces."

Miller a year from now would have the added attraction of being an expiring contract, making the $12.25 million more palatable. Of course, he also could be playing worse and have less appeal in that way. So goes the uncertainty.


Categories: Scott Howard-Cooper

Tags: Brad Miller, Kings


Posted by Scott Howard-Cooper

we don't have anything the Kings would want other than our young players & Malik's expiring... Harrington's probably not going anywhere either & neither is Duhon... i've always liked Brad Miller & wanted to bring him here for the longest but unless we can convince them to take Curry or Fishlips off our hands, i don't see how we could get him.

Malik, Turd & the 2nd rounder from DEN? still can't see the Kings taking that deal but i guess it depends on how desperate they are to dump salary for next season.

Miller at C would give us more size in the frontcourt & someone who can block a few shots... he's also a tremendous passer & can knock down the midrange J, which will work nicely on the pick & roll w/Duhon & on backdoor cuts off screens by our wing players & guards.

Posted by TMS:

Malik, Turd & the 2nd rounder from DEN? still can't see the Kings taking that deal but i guess it depends on how desperate they are to dump salary for next season.

I can't say I see it either... but maybe they really just want to develop Hawes and save some money. Other teams could probably come up with a better offer, but who else would want to?