LeBron James decision to move back home, rejoining the Cleveland Cavaliers, is less than a week old. And, yet, it is old news.
At the time of James’ decision, there was ample speculation that Ray Allen would surely put off retirement to play in King James’ court, and he may yet decide to play, though there has been no decision as of yet.
However, former Heat teammate Mike Miller, who—against James’ wishes—was annexed prior to last season via the amnesty provision as a cost-cutting measure, was also a free agent. After finishing a one-year deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, he was now taking offers from other teams—including a considerable three-year, $12 million deal from the Denver Nuggets.
The allure of reuniting with James, this time in Cleveland, was too enticing to pass up. Miller has now agreed to join the Cavaliers, accepting a two-year deal with a player option on the second, similar to the King’s own contract, worth $2.75 each year.
Mike Miller’s deal with Cleveland is a two-year, $5.5m deal with a player option for the second year, source confirms.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) July 15, 2014
Miller took to Twitter to express his gratitude to the Grizzlies.
Thanks to Memphis for a great year!! But I’m so excited to be a part of the Cleveland family and their… http://t.co/YUh1rW6pRz
— Mike Miller (@MikeMiller_13) July 15, 2014
James, of course happy to have him back, retweeted the sentiment.
By @mikemiller_13 “Thanks to Memphis for a great year!! But I’m so excited to be a part of the… http://t.co/oUcq3kCokC
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 15, 2014
Grizzlies guard and former teammate Nick Calathes thanked Miller for his time there.
Congrats to my guy @MikeMiller_13 sure gonna miss playing with you man. Thanks for taking care of me all year!!
— Nick Calathes (@Nick_Calathes15) July 15, 2014
Beyond all of the pleasantries, there are plenty of entertaining nuances to Miller’s choice to join James. As ESPN’s Brian Windhorst points out, a year ago he wanted no parts of Cleveland.
Last year Mike Miller feigned back injury when he heard Cavs might claim him off waivers. Today he signs with them despite larger offers.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 15, 2014
Writer Andrew Ungvari points out, perhaps, the greatest irony of his signing.
Again, the Heat will be paying Mike Miller $6.6 million to play with LeBron in Cleveland next season.
— Andrew Ungvari (@DrewUnga) July 15, 2014
ESPN NBA analyst Tom Haberstroh and Heat beat writer Ira Winderman each took shots at the situation.
When Heat debated using amnesty on Mike Miller, wonder if “signs with LeBron in Cleveland in 2014” was worst-case scenario.
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) July 15, 2014
So the Cavs get a first-round pick the Heat traded for LeBron, and the player the Heat amnestied gets a Cleveland reunion with LeBron.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) July 15, 2014
Understandably, one has to find this scenario quite intriguing. In retrospect, it was Pat Riley’s insistence on having both James and Chris Bosh sign for longer, six-year contracts that may have brought about the Heat’s demise. Were it not for those two sign-and-trade deals, Miami might have had some spryer legs on its roster through the draft.
Riley, however, mortgaged the team’s future depth (four first round picks, including three of their own) for an extra year on each contract that never even came to fruition—due to player options on the final two years. Certainly, the gamble worked out to a large degree, as they made it to four straight NBA Finals, winning two. But, over time, the aging roster and lack of depth only wore on the Heat’s aging superstars.
Now, Cleveland has James (again) and Mike Miller, as well as Miami’s 2015 first round pick. If Allen should choose to play another year and, in turn, join James in a Cavaliers uniform, that will be but one more defection to add to the list.
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