Nuggets sharpshooters (and fans) can rejoice. Assist machine Andre Miller has agreed to re-sign with the Nuggets, two sources said Sunday night.
The 36-year-old point guard is arguably coach George Karl’s favorite player because of Miller’s ability to make the proper pass and fuel the offense. The sources confirmed that Miller will sign for three years. Financial terms were undisclosed.
Last season, Miller averaged 9.7 points per game and 6.7 assists in 27.4 minutes off the bench, backing up starter Ty Lawson and other times playing alongside him. Miller was instrumental in the Nuggets’ Game 5 playoff win at the Lakers, which staved off elimination, thanks in part to Miller’s 24 points and eight assists.
Now all attention is turned to JaVale McGee, the Nuggets center who’s a restricted free agent. Nuggets executives met with both Miller and McGee in Los Angeles, a source said.
The 24-year-old McGee will be the prize of the Nuggets’ summer, if they can convince the big guy to stay. The 7-footer averaged 10.3 points per game and 5.8 rebounds in 20.6 minutes with Denver last season (he was traded midseason from Washington), while averaging 2.2 blocked shots per game, second-most in the league.
But just how much money will Denver have to dish out? A comparison to the potential McGee signing is the Clippers’ recent contract with center DeAndre Jordan. Like McGee, He was a restricted free agent before last season, and Los Angeles matched a Golden State offer of four years, $43 million, which averages out to $10.75 million per season.
Teams will make a push for McGee, just as they will with the other coveted centers in his free-agent class, notably Roy Hibbert and Brook Lopez. But one thing going for Denver is, simply, that McGee likes Denver. In the losing locker room after Game 7 against the Lakers, McGee was asked about his future in Denver. He spoke as if he was already signed up.
“I’m just excited to be part of a great organization,” said McGee, who averaged 3.1 blocks in the series against the Lakers, his first postseason. “(Playing for the Nuggets) was the best experience I’ve ever had in basketball. It’s just an honor to be a part of this team. This was a great team before I came, so I just tried to add to it. It’s a great organization and coaching staff. They put me in more situations that were more suitable for my game.”
WRITTEN BY By Benjamin Hochman - The Denver Post & FULL STORY HERE
