According to ESPN.com’s Brian Windhorst, the Miami Heat have waived shooting guard/small forward Mike Miller via the amnesty provision.
Due to the Heat using the amnesty clause on the solid playoff contributor Miller, Miami will cut down what was going to be a huge luxury tax bill by half. However, the Heat still owe Miller $12.8 million over the next two years to fulfill their contractual obligations.
Although Miller has had injury issues during his time with the Heat, the three-point sharpshooter was a pivotal piece in Miami’s last two championship runs. In the 2013 NBA Finals in particular, he was huge for the Heat, averaging an outstanding 61 percent shooting for the team as the Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs in a 7-game thriller to clinch the third championship in the franchise’s history.
The decision to amnesty Miller was most likely a decision made by ownership rather than the front office, as team president Pat Riley vouched for Miller to stay a part of the organization.
Riley said the following in a statement concerning Miller’s move.
“After many discussions internally and a severe effort to explore the trade market, we made a very difficult decision to use our Amnesty provision on Mike Miller. 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, 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.”
Miller will now become one of the more sought-after free agents in the league, as he showed he can still be an essential player to a team off the bench during his time with the Heat.
According to Windhorst’s sources used in his report, Miller’s representatives have reached out to teams who may be interested in Miller. Following his rather successful three-season tenure with Miami, look for Miller to be off the free agent market quickly, as he has a solid skill set he can provide despite his injury problems.