Miller to Utah?

[uberfan]

Jazz offers a 'boatload'
Deal might place Miller beyond reach of Nuggets

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News
July 21, 2003

SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Jazz might have priced the Denver Nuggets out of the Brad Miller derby.

A source close to the situation said Sunday night the Jazz has offered Brad Miller, an unrestricted Indiana free-agent center, a "boatload" of money. The source, who spoke to Miller on Sunday, said it's a six-year deal worth in the "mid-50s (referring to millions of dollars)."

Nuggets general manager Kiki Vande- weghe said he had heard that the Jazz made an offer, but he did not know the amount. Vandeweghe said the Nuggets have yet to make an offer.

The source said the Nuggets are willing to sign the center to a six-year deal in the "mid-40s." The source does not anticipate the Nuggets raising their offer to match Utah's.

"Brad likes Denver better than Utah, but I don't know if he likes it $12 million (less)," said the source, referring to the difference between the offers.

Miller's agent, Mark Bartelstein, declined to confirm Utah had made an offer, saying only he has received a "bunch of offers" for his client. Bartelstein said his client, who also is being courted by Miami, Portland, New York and Dallas and could re-sign with Indiana, figures on making his decision in the next "day or two."

Utah's offer would start at about $7.5 million a year. On Friday, Jazz owner Larry Miller told the Rocky Mountain News he anticipated having to pay Brad Miller a first-year salary "in the vicinity of" $8 million or $9 million.

When asked if the Nuggets would be willing to get in a bidding war with the Jazz, Vandeweghe said, "I'm not going to discuss that."

Brad Miller visited Utah on Thursday and Friday and Denver on Friday and Saturday before flying back to his native Indiana.

"It's my understanding (Brad Miller and Bartelstein are) probably going to try to make a decision this week," said Vande- weghe, who spoke with Bartelstein on Sunday.

While Utah's offer on Brad Miller is not good news for the Nuggets, another possible signing would be. An NBA source said Golden State restricted free-agent point guard Gilbert Arenas, who has been offered six-year, $60 million deals by the Clippers and Washington, is strongly leaning toward the Clippers. To clear salary-cap room for Arenas, one of the team's moves would be to immediately not match the six-year, $51 million offer that restricted free-agent point guard Andre Miller signed with Denver.

The Clippers never have seriously considered retaining Andre Miller. But, if the Clippers soon sign Arenas, at least the Nuggets would get the point guard before the July 31 deadline on matching.

When asked if it would be good news to get Andre Miller earlier, Vandeweghe said, "Exactly."