After saying he would not use his amnesty provision, Heat president Pat Riley changed his mind and used the one-time clause on Mike Miller, saving owner Micky Arison millions in luxury tax.
Tuesday was the last day for teams to waive a player via the amnesty provision, and Riley chose to let go of Miller and his $6.2 million salary. In a statement, he indicated that he tried to find a taker for Miller in a trade but was unsuccessful.
“After many discussions internally and a sincere effort to explore the trade market, we made a very difficult decision to use our amnesty provision on Mike Miller,” Riley said. “Mike had an incredible impact on the Miami Heat; helping us to three Finals appearances and winning back-to-back world championships.
“This was a very difficult decision for me personally, the Arison family, Erik (Spoelstra) and the entire Miami Heat organization. Mike was one of the best we have ever had here, and will be sorely missed. We wish Mike, his wife Jennifer and their family nothing but the best.”
Arison said his good-byes in a tweet. Given how much money he just saved, perhaps a going-away present should be in order.
Miller was signed to a five-year deal in 2010 and was one of six Heat players eligible for the amnesty provision, which allows teams to waive players and have their salaries not count against the team payroll. The player still must be paid.
Before waiving Miller, the Heat’s payroll was $85.6 million, nearly $14 million above the luxury tax threshold of $71.748 million. That would have produced a tax hit of roughly $25.5 million.
Waiving Miller cut Miami’s tax hit by more than half to about $12.25 million.
A former Rookie of the Year, Miller had the three lowest scoring averages of his career in his three seasons with the Heat while missing 81 games due to injuries. However, he had memorable moments in each of Miami’s championships in the last two years.
In the 2012 clincher vs. Oklahoma City, Miller drained seven 3-pointers and scored 23 points. In Game 6 vs. San Antonio, Miller lost his sneaker but still drained a 3-pointer.
The Heat weren’t the only team to beat Tuesday’s deadline. The Toronto Raptors reportedly will 
use their amnesty provision on Linas Kleiza, who has one year and $4.6 million left on his deal and may be headed back to Europe.
Earlier this offseason, the Charlotte Bobcats released Tyrus Thomas and the Los Angeles Lakers waived Metta World Peace via the amnesty provision. World Peace already has been re-signed by the New York Knicks.
Possible remaining candidates include Sacramento’s John Salmons, Milwaukee’s Drew Gooden and Detroit’s Charlie Villanueva.
Eleven teams still have their amnesty provision, although New Orleans has no eligible player on its roster. For a complete synopsis of every team’s amnesty provision status, click here.