Andre Miller Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Spurs Sign Andre Miller

February 29th, 2016 at 5:34pm CST by Arthur Hill

MONDAY, 5:34pm: The signing is official, the Spurs announced. San Antonio earlier announced that it waived McCallum to create a roster opening.

10:49pm: The Spurs will waive third-string point guard Ray McCallum to make room for Miller, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical on Yahoo Sports. Miller must pass a physical before McCallum is waived (Twitter link).

6:05pm: Spurs coach Gregg Popovich refused to comment on the move until it becomes official, which cannot happen until Miller clears waivers, McDonald tweets.

5:07pm: Miller’s agent, Andy Miller, confirms his client’s intention to sign with the Spurs, tweets Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News.

SATURDAY, 4:15pm: Veteran point guard Andre Miller, who was waived by the Wolves earlier this week, will sign with the Spurs, tweets Shams Charania of The Vertical on Yahoo Sports. The signing will cost San Antonio an extra $375K under the luxury tax, tweets former NBA executive Bobby Marks. The Spurs have 15 players on their roster, so a corresponding move will be necessary.

Miller, 39, was let go by Minnesota on Thursday in an apparent buyout agreement. He had been on a one-year, veterans’ minimum contract with the Wolves. Miller averaged 3.4 points, 0.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 26 games this season. The Spurs will be his ninth franchise in a 17-year NBA career.

Earlier today, the Spurs were reported as the new favorite to land shooting guard Kevin Martin, who is also in buyout talks with the Wolves. It’s not certain how the Miller signing would affect their interest in Martin.

Northwest Notes: Miller, Novak, Hickson

February 28th, 2016 at 2:03pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Timberwolves‘ willingness to agree to a buyout with Andre Miller demonstrates the team’s commitment to developing its younger players, Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune writes. Parting ways with Miller now slides Tyus Jones up the depth chart where he will act as the primary backup to Ricky Rubio, Zgoda notes. “At this point where we are, it’s about giving these guys the opportunity to grow and develop,” interim coach Sam Mitchell said. “We’re never going to get where we need to go until these young guys learn how to play in certain situations.”

While he will miss Miller’s veteran presence, the coach agreed with the move to waive the playmaker, Zgoda adds. “Absolutely. Andre has been great. He was great for me. I think he helped Ricky out a lot, and I think he has helped Zach LaVine and Tyus a lot. At this point of the season, he has a chance to sign with a great team like San Antonio that’s going to have a chance to win a championship. I’m happy for Andre,” Mitchell told Zgoda.

Here’s more from the Northwest Division:

J.J. Hickson relinquished $396,242 of his 2015/16 salary to secure his buyout from the Nuggets, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders relays (on Twitter). Denver is still on the hook for $5,217,258 in salary to the power forward, who signed with the Wizards for the remainder of the season after clearing waivers.
The Nuggets also agreed to a buyout arrangement with Steve Novak, who parted with $416,886 of this season’s salary as part of the transaction, Pincus tweets. As a result, the franchise’s cap hit for the combo forward is $3,333,115. Upon clearing waivers Novak signed with the Bucks for the remainder of the campaign.
The Trail Blazers have surprised the league with their stellar play of late, as many predicted the franchise would be lottery-bound in 2015/16 after losing LaMarcus Aldridge to the Spurs via free agency last July. The team may lack star power beyond Lillard, but it makes up for that with excellent locker room chemistry, Jason Quick of CSNNW.com relays. “How much we like each other, how much time we spend around each other, that shows you a team that is really together,” Lillard said. “It is a unit, and that makes up for us not being Cleveland. It makes up for us not having LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love. We are a group. We have each other’s back.’’

Southwest Notes: Lee, Pachulia, Stephenson, Miller

February 27th, 2016 at 11:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

The addition of David Lee could cut into the playing time of Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia, writes Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. Lee signed with Dallas as a free agent Monday after agreeing to a buyout with the Celtics, and he’s been productive, posting a 14-point, 14-rebound performance on Friday. Meanwhile, Pachulia’s numbers are declining. He’s shooting just 35.8% from the floor in February, while averaging 6.2 points and 9.7 rebounds. “One of the reasons we wanted to bring Lee on board was we wanted to alleviate a few of his [Pachulia’s] minutes,” said coach Rick Carlisle. “We’ll look at trying to keep everybody as fresh as possible. The thing about Zaza is he’s been a real important chemistry guy for us all year long. I think he’s ready.” Pachulia is making $5.2MM this season in the final year of his contract.

There’s more from the Western Conference:

Although the Rockets have an open roster spot, it’s unlikely that shooting guard Kevin Martin will come to Houston, tweets Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Martin is a candidate for a buyout with the Wolves before Tuesday, but the Spurs are considered to be the front-runner to sign him. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the Rockets are looking at options to fill the open spot and could sign someone currently playing overseas (Twitter link).
The Grizzlies‘ Lance Stephenson blames an inability to “fit in” for his failures with the Hornets and Clippers, writes Peter Edmiston in The Commercial Appeal. Memphis has a team option on Stephenson’s contract and can bring him back for another season at $9.405MM. “I’ve definitely got something to prove,” Stephenson said. “I just want to get back to my old self, get back to playing in a rotation and helping my teammates win. God is good, so wherever He guides me, I’m going to try my best to figure it out.”
The expected addition of point guard Andre Miller gives the Spurs the two oldest players in the league, according to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News. At 39, Miller is the oldest, 37 days older than center Tim Duncan.

Wolves Waive Andre Miller In Apparent Buyout

February 25th, 2016 at 4:18pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Timberwolves have officially waived Andre Miller, the team announced. The two sides were reportedly working on a buyout arrangement, which is likely the case, though no mention of any agreement was relayed in the team’s official statement. Minnesota team owner Glen Taylor indicated earlier today that the team would probably reach a buyout agreement with Miller that would allow the 39-year-old point guard to appear in the postseason with another franchise.

Miller is on a one-year deal for the minimum salary, which the Wolves will be on the hook for the remainder of provided he clears waivers. Releasing the veteran playmaker leaves Minnesota with a roster count of 14 players, one below the regular season maximum.

The 39-year-old has appeared in 26 games this season for the Wolves averaging 3.4 points, 0.9 rebounds and 2.2 assist in 10.8 minutes per night. Miller’s career averages since being the No. 8 overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft are 12.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.6 assists to accompany a slash line of .460/.217/.807.

Timberwolves, Andre Miller Likely To Work Buyout

February 25th, 2016 at 12:38pm CST by Chuck Myron

12:38pm: Miller and the Wolves are already finalizing a buyout deal, agent Andy Miller tells Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical on Yahoo Sports (Twitter link).

12:35pm: Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor indicated that he’ll probably reach a buyout agreement with Andre Miller that would allow the 39-year-old point guard to appear in the postseason with another team, reports Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune. Taylor added that while he’s open to a buyout with Kevin Martin, Martin’s side would have to initiate those talks, as Zgoda details. Miller is on a one-year deal for the minimum salary, while Martin is making $7.085MM this season with a $7,377,500 player option for next year. Both would have to hit waivers no later than Tuesday to remain playoff-eligible for other teams.

Taylor said he’s willing to work with Miller’s camp, pegging him as more likely to end up with a buyout than fellow veteran Tayshaun Prince, with whom the owner said he has yet to engage in any buyout talks, Zgoda writes. Prince, 35, has played a prominent role, appearing in the starting lineup for 44 of his 56 appearances, including Wednesday’s game against Toronto. Interim coach Sam Mitchell has used Miller only off the bench and in just 26 games. Mitchell has given rookie point guard Tyus Jones an increased role of late, and Miller hasn’t played in any of Minnesota’s last four games, Zgoda notes.

Martin has played in each of those four games after sitting for the previous nine, and while he’s still averaging double-figure points, at 10.6 in 21.4 minutes per contest, it was no secret that he was available for a trade before last week’s deadline. Would-be suitors were apparently reluctant to take him on without knowing what he’d do about his player option. GM Milt Newton said after the deadline passed without a Martin trade that a buyout discussion would probably take place between Martin and the team in the near future, but Taylor told Zgoda that Newton hasn’t called agent Dan Fegan to start any such conversation.

Several teams were linked to Martin before the deadline, as I noted in his trade candidate piece, and that includes the Bucks, who reportedly made a run at him as the clock ticked down. At least one team asked the Wolves about Miller as the deadline approached, though it’s unclear which team that was.

Northwest Notes: Miller, Durant, Blazers

February 14th, 2016 at 1:58pm CST by Will Joseph

There is one team inquiring about Wolves veteran point guard Andre Miller, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities hears (on Twitter). While it is unclear which team that is, Wolfson rules out the Kings, despite Sacramento coach George Karl‘s relationship with Miller. At 39 years old, Miller has played sparingly this season and likely would not return much for the Wolves. It is reasonable to think Miller would be part of a bigger package for that reason, but I speculate the Wolves are motivated to move Miller to allow rookie Tyus Jones to play more.

Here’s more out of the Northwest Division:

Steve Novak is a potential trade chip for the Thunder because of his expiring contract, Bobby Marks of The Vertical on Yahoo Sports writes in one of his latest deadline primers. Expiring contracts, however, are not as valuable as they have been in previous years because of the salary cap’s expected rise, as Marks points out.
That’s another reason why the Thunder would much rather prefer to have Kevin Durant than the expected $19MM in cap space this summer if Durant signs elsewhere and team decides against bringing back restricted free agent Dion Waiters, Marks adds in the same piece.
Speaking of Durant, Draymond Green told Sam Amick of USA Today Sports (audio link) that although the star players are friends, Green will not be trying to recruit Durant to sign with the Warriors this summer during the rest of All-Star weekend (h/t Anthony Slater of The Oklahoman).
With close to $20MM in cap space, the Blazers are in position to take on contracts with the goal of obtaining a future pick or significant asset and thus should be viewed as a sleeper team at the deadline, Marks writes in his look at Portland.

Timberwolves Rumors: LaVine, Rubio, Muhammad

November 17th, 2015 at 1:31pm CST by Chuck Myron

It’s no coincidence that the Timberwolves are giving Zach LaVine minutes at point guard after going back on their decision to make him the starting shooting guard, since Ricky Rubio would become a trade chip if LaVine proves capable running the point, writes Zach Lowe of ESPN.com. Rubio and LaVine have played just 10 minutes together so far this season, with Lowe calling it “beyond dumb” that they haven’t shared the floor for more time and Rubio making it clear he’d like to play more often with LaVine. Both Rubio and GM Milt Newton expressed to Lowe that they hope Rubio is the long-term answer at the point, “but he has to stay healthy,” Newton said. Regardless, Newton isn’t in a hurry to make any deals.

“We are cognizant about not rushing it,” Newton said to Lowe. “We don’t want to be a flash in the pan. We don’t want to disrupt our young core. If we do something, it has to be the kind of deal where the majority of that young core is still here, but you get a veteran who is not that old — and can grow with the group.”

See more on the Timberwolves:

LaVine has shown flashes of brilliance and moments of struggle alike at point guard this season, but his play is making it increasingly apparent that he deserves time at one position or another, as Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune examines. “I love him,” Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger said Sunday before Minnesota’s game against Memphis. “I’m a big LaVine fan. I think he can really score the basketball. He’s tough to guard. I think he’s still trying to figure out where he is in the league, learn his teammates, where he can go and when it’s not a good time to go. When he learns that? He’ll be a very potent scorer.”
Opposing front office personnel were initially dismissive of the late Flip Saunders‘ decision to sign so many veteran mentors this summer, but some of them have warmed to the notion that re-signing Kevin Garnett and adding Andre Miller and Tayshaun Prince was shrewd, Lowe writes in the same piece.
The Timberwolves almost chose Giannis Antetokounmpo over Shabazz Muhammad in the 2013 draft, several sources tell Lowe. The Jazz officially drafted Muhammad, but they had already agreed to trade the pick to Minnesota by the time they went on the clock, so evidently the Timberwolves were telling the Jazz whom to take, as is often the case behind the scenes with draft-night deals.
If Steve Kaplan, the Grizzlies minority owner who’s reportedly in talks to buy a share of the Timberwolves, were to purchase a controlling interest in the Wolves at some point, he’d probably include Garnett in the ownership group, Lowe hears from sources.
Sean Kilpatrick, who was with the Timberwolves on a 10-day contract this past spring, has re-signed with the D-League affiliate of the Sixers, the team with which he ended last season, the D-League club announced.

Western Notes: Ezeli, Miller, Lillard, Diawara

November 2nd, 2015 at 5:28pm CST by Chuck Myron

Festus Ezeli‘s favorable perception of the Warriors hasn’t changed in the wake of the end of extension talks between agent Bill Duffy and the team, as Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group relays. The center is headed into restricted free agency in July with the extension window officially set to close at 11pm Central tonight.

“Obviously [Duffy] didn’t come up to an agreement with the team, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that I want to be here for the rest of my career, and I love these guys,” Ezeli said. “I love the team. We discussed it a little bit with my family, and [Duffy] kind of told us what he thought was best moving forward, and we went with that.”

See more from the Western Conference:

Part of the reason the Timberwolves wanted to sign Andre Miller is because Flip Saunders wanted to shore up the team’s troubles with simply inbounding the ball at the end of games, as TNT’s David Aldridge notes within his Morning Tip column for NBA.com. Of course, Miller’s leadership was key, too, and Saunders told Miller ahead of time that the team would be signing fellow veteran Tayshaun Prince, as Miller said to Aldridge for a piece that further shows the respect the Wolves have for the late coach/executive.
Damian Lillard‘s play has been surprisingly underwhelming so far this season, but it’s chiefly a product of his willingness to experiment with his game so that he can tailor it to the needs of the Blazers‘ overhauled roster, as Jason Quick of CSNNW.com examines. “It’s easy for me to go out there and get 35 and have seven assists and the game not be played as well,’’ Lillard said. “But if we are going to play the game the right way and if our team is going to grow and keep getting better, then I have to make sure we are doing things the right way.’’
Four-year NBA veteran and Grizzlies camp cut Yakhouba Diawara has signed with CSP Limoges of France, the team announced (translation via Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia). Freelance journalist Guido Guida first reported the news (Twitter link).

Southeast Notes: Pierce, Lin, Green

October 10th, 2015 at 4:05pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Wizards are intending to utilize smaller, faster lineups this season, something they would have done a season ago if they had the proper personnel, J. Michael of CSNMid-Atlantic.com writes. According to point guard John Wall, the presence of Paul Pierce, who is now a member of the Clippers, was a big reason why Washington needed to play at a slower pace during 2014/15, Michael notes. “No disrespect to Paul but we wanted to kind of be a half-court team. He couldn’t get up and down the floor,” Wall said. “He’s not the young Paul anymore. He helped us out a lot in so many other ways in making big shots and being a leader. Now this is an opportunity to let Otto Porter excel, running the floor, being able to create off the dribble, slashing to the basket.” This desire to play at a quicker pace also led to the team swapping Andre Miller for Ramon Sessions at last season’s trade deadline, the CSN scribe adds.

Here’s more out of the Southeast Division:

Hornets owner Michael Jordan, in an interview with Hou Qiang of Xinhuanet.com, was cautiously optimistic about Charlotte’s chances this season, saying, “They [the team] should be OK. We changed a lot of personnel. Everybody is excited I’m very excited but I don’t want to get overexcited.” Jordan specifically mentioned the team’s signing of point guard Jeremy Lin as a boon to the franchise, adding, “We just got Jeremy Lin, who I think is going to be our biggest acquisition. His penetration, his shooting capability, his point guard savvy, he can really pass the basketball, and [we like] his energy about the game of basketball.“
With the Heat‘s excellent depth heading into the 2015/16 campaign, Gerald Green will need to be more of a two-way player if he wants to log significant minutes for Miami, Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel writes. “Offense comes easy for me,” Green said. “I know if I go down and lock my defense down, nine times out of 10 we’re going to win. I know my role is to have energy on both ends of the floor. I’m really focusing on defense, that’s what I’m really trying to focus on. Scoring is easy for me. I’m not really worried about scoring. It’s the defense that I’m trying to work my best at. I know that’s the only way we can become a better team, if I’m a better defender.” The addition of the 29-year-old via a one-year, minimum salary deal is easily one of the best bargains of the offseason, regardless of how much playing time he receives.

Northwest Notes: Kanter, Arthur, Miller, Pekovic

September 29th, 2015 at 12:50pm CST by Chuck Myron

Enes Kanter hoped to stay with the Thunder even as he signed an max offer sheet with the Trail Blazers this summer, creating a tense three days before the Thunder matched, notes Erik Horne of The Oklahoman.

“The three days was definitely tough, because I really wanted to be here,” Kanter said. “That three days was really tough, really difficult. I never experienced anything like that before. In the end, it worked out. [I’m] really happy to be here. It’s really nice [to have] your team’s trust in you. It means a lot.”

See more from the Northwest Division:

Darrell Arthur nearly left for the Clippers this summer before ultimately deciding to re-sign with the Nuggets, observes Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post (Twitter links). “I was pretty close. It was a tough decision to make,” Arthur said. “But with this [Nuggets] team I felt that I could possibly make a difference in trying to help this team make it to the playoffs.” The money couldn’t have hurt, either, as Arthur received a two-year deal worth almost $5.755MM from Denver, about $3.08MM more than the two-year minimum salary offer that the Clippers were limited to.
Andre Miller visited the Bulls in free agency before signing with the Timberwolves this summer, reports Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities (on Twitter).
Nikola Pekovic said he’ll miss roughly the first month of the season, but the Timberwolves expect Ricky Rubio will be healthy enough to play on opening night, even though he’s not quite 100% yet, observes Marcus R. Fuller of the Pioneer Press.
Timberwolves GM Milt Newton expressed a desire to use the D-League more often this season, pointing to No. 24 pick Tyus Jones, but the GM said he’d want the point guard to go to a D-League team that would give him some playing time, as Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune relays (on Twitter). The Timberwolves, who don’t have a D-League affiliate and would have to send Jones on assignment with another team’s D-League club, haven’t made progress toward their own D-League partner, Zgoda notes.
Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey expressed optimism about his point guards on Monday, jibing with earlier reports that the team is content for now even without the injured Dante Exum, but he wouldn’t rule out spending to acquire another point guard if the performance at that position is lacking, notes Aaron Falk of The Salt Lake Tribune (Twitter links).