The word since LeBron James(notes), Chris Bosh(notes), and Dwyane Wade(notes) all announced that they wanted to join the Miami Heat together and try to overwhelm all comers with offensive talent has been that free agent swingman Mike Miller(notes) would join the Heat to play, as his agent Arn Tellem so eloquently puts it on his Huffington Post blog, the Ringo Starr of the group. In Tellem's blog post on Monday, he says his client is accepting a five-year deal after saying "no, thanks" to the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Chicago Bulls. Miller met Pat Riley and other Heat reps on July 1 when the free-agency window got thrown open. Tellem writes, "In the elevator [that night], Mike told me that if [Pat Riley] could pull off a LeBron James-Dwyane Wade-Chris Bosh trifecta, he'd be South Florida bound.'' Now the Miami Herald is reporting that the 30-year-old who averaged 10.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game for the dismal Washington Wizards last season may be backing off the idea of joining the Heat. The Heat have a qualifying offer out to center Joel Anthony(notes) that could be pulled off the table if the team needs more dough to offer Miller. Source: Miami Herald
Update ... MIAMI (AP)—Mike Miller(notes) had talks with LeBron James(notes) during the NBA finals about free agency, and the reigning two-time MVP had a simple message for one of the league’s best shooters. “Sit tight,” James told Miller. So Miller waited to see what James would do—and now is on the cusp of joining him in Miami. Miller arrived in South Florida on Wednesday and told Memphis radio station WHBQ that he would sign his five-year contract by his scheduled departure on Thursday. Miller agreed in principle to a deal late last week, and his agent Arn Tellem revealed Monday that the sharpshooter would be signing with Miami. “We’re waiting on one thing … we’ll have it done,” Miller told the radio station. Using Twitter on Wednesday, Miller tipped off his followers that a deal was near, saying, “It’s sunny and HOT in Miami!” The 6-foot-8 Miller shot a career-best 48 percent from 3-point range last season. In 10 NBA seasons, Miller has averaged 13.7 points and 5.1 rebounds. Terms of Miller’s deal have not been finalized, but based on what Miami has left to spend, it would figure to be worth around $25 million over the five years. The Heat, Dwyane Wade(notes) especially, said it was vital to get some shooting help to play alongside James and Chris Bosh(notes). Another plus is that Miller and newly re-signed Heat forward Udonis Haslem(notes) are extremely close friends. “I’m excited about it,” Miller told WHBQ. “It’s a good opportunity for me. Obviously you’re looking at three of the most dynamic players in the league. And you need to surround that with shooters. And hopefully I can go in there and do that for these guys.” Miller has said he wanted a chance to compete for a championship. That, along with the lure of wanting to play with James, made him turn down other higher-paying offers, he said. “I’ve never had an opportunity to really lace them up in June,” Miller said. “This one gives me an opportunity. Obviously, nothing’s guaranteed but we like our chances.”
