Mike Miller is considering fusion surgery for bulging disks in his back, and that's giving teams pause as they consider whether to submit an amnesty claim for him, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. The Cavs are strongly considering claiming Miller, and according to Wojnarowski, several contenders are thinking about signing him if he were to go unclaimed. If Miller hits free agency, that would give clubs additional time to have doctors to examine the 33-year-old and for him to express his needs and intentions regarding surgery.
Miller also considered surgery last summer, when he downplayed retirement talk. Miller hasn't had retirement on his mind this summer, either, saying last month that he felt like he could play for four or five more years.
The Cavs are aware of Miller's back issues even as they continue to ponder making a bid, Wojnarowski writes. The Rockets reportedly have interest in him, and the Clippers have been linked to him as well, though presumably those teams would sign him rather than submit a waiver claim. Teams must have cap space to place either a full or partial amnesty bid, and the deadline to do so is 4:00pm Central time Thursday.