In this "golden age" of point guard play we're currently witnessing, Andre Miller continues to stay under the radar as one of the most efficient, yet underrated, players in the entire league. Now in his second tenure with the Nuggets, Miller is backing up another point guard (Ty Lawson) for the first time in his career, and despite his team's success playing the two off one another with a change-of-pace strategy, he's expressed unhappiness in the role.
As the highest paid player on Denver's roster, Miller is about to see the three-year, $21MM deal he signed in 2009 come to an end, and it's probable that with Lawson entrenched as the team's starter for the foreseeable future, he'll explore other options come the offseason.
Miller believes he can still start for someone and produce at a high level. At this stage in his career, a team might be gambling should they allow him to do so. Right now the 35-year-old is averaging the second lowest FG% of his 13-year career—in five fewer MPG than last season—but his per-36 minute assist numbers are his second highest. What he continues to offer a Denver team that has one of the league's best benches, is savvy, consistent point guard play and veteran leadership. For younger players, he's invaluable playing the role of mentor, but it doesn't seem like that's something he's interested in doing. If nothing else, Miller is tough, respected, and still able to slow the game down to his own manageable pace.
There don't appear to be any high profile point guards in the upcoming draft, and apart from Deron Williams, Goran Dragic, and Steve Nash, the league's free agency pool appears to be thin as well. If Miller is serious about starting, there are several teams that would love to utilize his services. After this season comes to an end, it wouldn't be surprising to see him end up playing for Charlotte, Indiana, Utah (if they can find another home for Devin Harris and his soon to be expiring contract), or even Portland, the team that unwisely traded him for Raymond Felton last June.
Andre Miller's availability on the market will most likely fall as far under the radar as his on-the-court influence these past 13 years, but there's no denying the fact that he can still play in this league. Whether he chooses to limit a possible destination by insisting he's a still worthy of starting is another story altogether.