Darius Miles

[thedofd]

Greetings, all, after a long hiatus.

I'm not advocating this, mind you, just asking a question: Any interest in giving Miles a shot, if for no other reason other than to mess with Portland?

Mind you, I'm not a big Miles fan (he claimed, bonking both fists on his head ), but he's still relatively young (27?), has shown he can play in the league (at best, he's a journeyman, but still), has decent size for a small forward, has some panache and would fit into an uptempo system.

Clearly, he doesn't address a pressing need, assuming that between Salmons, Cisco and Greene the Kings will be OK. And, while the Celtics' brass said they think he's still an NBA player, he hasn't shown much in the exhibition season.

Nonetheless, I believe the Kings can carry 15 (they're at 16 now with two guys with no shot), and if they could work Miles into 10 games (think they'll be involved in any blowouts?), the remaining $18 million on the six-year, $48-million contract Miles signed with Portland would go back on the Blazers' books, although not impact its cap space.

Portland is not only a conference rival, but a potential rival for free-agent talent in the future. To be able to make a minimal investment in Miles, take a look at a guy who has been a double-figure scorer, and make the Blazers at least say ouch when they're out shopping for another player (just what they need) ... not the worst strategic move. At the very least, I hope Geoff picks up the phone, calls Ainge and gets his honest assessment of whether Miles has anything left.

 

[SacKings7]

Nope. Never did like the guy. He's basically Gerald Green, only less athletic (but still athletic) and making much more money.

 

[thedofd]

I could be wrong, but I didn't think money was an issue with him because the Blazers are still paying him.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

I would absolutely sign him if nobody else did, JUST to mess with portland. They are going to be a force in the WC by the time we get back up there ( fingers crossed ) and any way we can mess with them Im in favor for... this being said I think some other team who could actually use him will do this..

 

[SacKings7]

I could be wrong, but I didn't think money was an issue with him because the Blazers are still paying him.

I know, I was just saying.

Anyway, I really don't see how signing him would be "messing with Portland". Frankly, we'd be messing with ourselves, because he'd be taking minutes away from Greene and or/Garcia. Once again, no thanks

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Nonetheless, I believe the Kings can carry 15 (they're at 16 now with two guys with no shot), and if they could work Miles into 10 games (think they'll be involved in any blowouts?), the remaining $18 million on the six-year, $48-million contract Miles signed with Portland would go back on the Blazers' books, although not impact its cap space.

Portland is not only a conference rival, but a potential rival for free-agent talent in the future. To be able to make a minimal investment in Miles, take a look at a guy who has been a double-figure scorer, and make the Blazers at least say ouch when they're out shopping for another player (just what they need) ... not the worst strategic move. At the very least, I hope Geoff picks up the phone, calls Ainge and gets his honest assessment of whether Miles has anything left.

Bottom line is we shouldn't make a move just to intentionally hurt another team (though some here would except the Lakers).

Even so, is Portland really going to be competing with us in the free agent market? Look at their team (years of control in parens):

Oden (3)
Aldridge (2)
Batum (4)
Roy (2) Fernandez (4)
Bayless (4)

Maybe...MAYBE they try to make a move for a big man, but they've got a bunch of good players that they're going to have to pay a bunch of money in the near future. Next year they'll have to negotiate an extension for Roy AND Aldridge who will make a minimum of $20M between them. The next year Oden, and you gotta figure at least $15M for him. It's early, but Fernandez looks good and everybody assumes Bayless will be good as well. Batum may shine as well. $30M to keep those guys around, at least? If they want to keep their core together it'll cost them $60+M for six players 3-4 years from now.

If they want to go after a big free agent, they'll have to let some of their younger talent go - I'd just as soon take a shot at their younger talent. I guess I don't see deliberately hurting Portland as a reasonable strategic move, either from the point of view of propriety or effectiveness.

 

[Bricklayer]

You forget who owns Portland. Do you know what the interest alone is on $30 billion?

They won't be letting any of their talent go because of finances. And if they want to chase a free agent, they'll chase a free agent, Miles or no. He objected to wasting money on a team going nowhere, I am predicting massive expenditure on one that may be in line for not only a title, but possibly a dynasty.

 

[thedofd]

You forget who owns Portland. Do you know what the interest alone is on $30 billion?

Oh, I understand that Mr. Allen doesn't need to take his cans and bottles in to the nearest recycling center to make payroll. But it's interesting that every news account I've read about Miles brings up the issue of how much the Blazers will lose if Miles plays 10 games. Even if you're the richest man in the world (paraphrasing a statesmen whose name I've forgotten), $18 million here, $18 million there, and pretty soon you're talking about real money.

Portland aside, should Miles be given a look-see simply on the basis of merit? It's not like the Kings have much to lose by bringing him in. This item from today's Boston Herald (http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1127048&srvc=home&position=1):

Miles left mark

Darius Miles may not have found an answer with the Celtics, but at least one player believes the free agent forward - released by the team Monday - has just started his journey back after a two-year absence from the league.

“I definitely think he is going to catch on with someone once he gets his confidence down,” Paul Pierce [stats] said. “He has a good basketball IQ and great intangibles. So once he gets his confidence back, he’s going to be great. He’s still a young player.”

Pierce only hopes the market doesn’t grade Miles based on a return to his pre-knee surgery form. Miles may be 26, but he has, after all, missed two years.

“You’re asking a lot of a guy who has been out two years, and had microfracture surgery, to be the same again,” the Celtics captain said. “But he has a lot to offer. His game entails being a great defender and being quicker than the guy he’s going against. I think he’ll do fine.”

 

[Amory]

No thank you....why would be want him anyway?

 

[hrdboild]

Unfortunately, we've got too many SF's already. But even if we didn't, there's several reasons to be wary of Darius Miles, even at a bargain basement contract. There's the history of attitude problems, questions about his effort and willingness to get better, and how well he fits in to the team game. Maybe he's matured in his absence from the NBA? We've got a good thing going, so there's no need to potentially muck it up. That being said, I hope somebody takes a chance on him and he makes good because he's always had a ton of potential. He plays a lot like Gerald Wallace -- long, athletic, instinctive scorer, gets his hands on the ball all over the court. And he's only 26 (actually, just turned 27). That's what we're all hoping Donte Greene turns into.

 

[thedofd]

Unfortunately, we've got too many SF's already. .

We've got a number of SF's, yes, but not an established NBA starter among them. I think Salmons and Garcia will more or less get the job done, but it's not a lock. And I have high hopes for Donte, but no one can say with any certainty what he'll be. Not saying that Miles is or will be any better than any of those guys, but he has shown NBA-level talent in the past.

Maybe he's matured in his absence from the NBA?

Obviously, that's the hope, that a talented guy who's been out of the league a bit and is coming into his prime years would show some maturity and hunger, and carve out a niche. I see Miles as a low-risk proposition. The Kings need assets. If Miles becomes one, great. If not, what do they have to lose?

We've got a good thing going, so there's no need to potentially muck it up.

I guess I'm not as optimistic as you are, although I hope you're right.