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Mike Miller has suddenly become a popular guy. After being waived via the amnesty provision Monday by the Heat, several teams have taken an interest in the shooting guard, one of which is the Thunder.
Mike Miller cleared amnesty waivers & is a free agent. Spurs, Thunder, Grizzlies & Rockets among teams with interest in signing him.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 18, 2013
The Thunder sent Sam Presti down to Miami to meet with Miller this past week in the hopes that they could sign the championship sharp-shooter to what is likely will be a veteran's minimum deal. However, another team has come into play, none other than the Houston Rockets:
The Rockets and Thunder have both offered a contract to Mike Miller. Miller is leaning towards signing with OKC, per source.
— NBA Legion (@MySportsLegion) July 20, 2013
It is likely that, according to the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets have also offered Miller a veteran's minimum deal, which starts at $1.4 million.
The Rockets, whose moves these past two seasons have potentially elevated them to the upper echelon of the West, are an interesting foil for the Thunder. Houston averages 28.9 3-point attempts per game, tied for 1st in the league. Meanwhile, the Thunder average about 10 fewer per game, at 19.3 attempts. Since Miller is a 3-point specialist, this fact would seem to favor the Rockets. However, we know that Miller is looking to compete for a championship, and the Thunder are much closer to that goal than the Rockets. Furthermore, OKC has in Kevin Durant the 2nd best player in the league and the closest approximation to LeBron James that we have, so Miller may find it easier to play along side Durant than in the guard-centric offense that is Houston.
In fact, Durant has been involved in the recruiting:
Word is, furthermore, that Kevin Durant himself recruiting Mike Miller aggressively, with Denver and Houston also still in mix w/OKC & MEM
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 20, 2013
During his time with the Heat, Miller, 33, averaged 4.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 59 games last season. Miller, who was picked fifth overall in the 2000 NBA Draft, is a 40.6 percent three-point shooter. He's been in the League for 13 seasons, but injuries have plagued him. The last time he played more than 60 games was the 2008-09 season (73) when he played for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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