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Al Jefferson is getting an MRI today for a knee injury late in the Hornets game last night, and without Al, MIN doesn't have a legitimate, or even illegitimate, NBA center on the roster. The two most likely places to go looking for one are Indiana and New Jersey.

I guess there are two ways to go. First, the wolves and Nets could do a small trade with players that don't see much court time. Jason Collins and Stromile Swift have matching $6.2 mil expirings, and can form the basic cap matching wiggle room for any small trade. I'm no fan of Sean Williams, but MIN has pieces like Craig Smith, Rashad McCants, or expirings.

The other way to go is with Mike Miller. Miller's all-around game (RB's, ASTS, etc) has been fine, but he had a bad shooting month in January. It looks like his shooting is coming around though, because in February he's shooting FG 68% and 3P 54.5%. His defense is questionable (though at 6' 8", not as bad as is often reported), but I like his willingness to do whatever he can to help a team, even come off the bench.

MIN's most common offers for Mike Miller on the Trade Boards have been expirings plus a late pick for Miller (2 yrs) + Cardinal (2 yrs) from contenders (CLE/POR), so I think that's the baseline offer to beat. They want Miller's help in two play-offs, and perhaps to trade Cardinal's expiring next summer for more production. Moving Cardinal a year early helps MIN go after free agents or trades in 2009. While Swift as a center is a good start at expirings, NJN doesn't have enough to take Cardinal. Perhaps you could work out a three-team trade, or try to get their with prospects.

Any ideas for a Mike Miller trade, or for something smaller?

Man that sucks.
As you jad seen in recent game threads I was pulling for you guys.
Hopefully its nothing serious, but regardless I could see them shutting him down for the long haul if its even and a sprain and manning the tank for the rest of the season.

I like Miller, but I don't especially see us taking on Cardinal for him and I don't see Minny trading him without the Janitor, unless they really liked the return and I doubt we overpay for him.

Probably need a 3rd team involved to take on Cardinal's salary for a draft pick.
Maybe we send you the GS pick and send a third team our pick next year and 3 mill cash to take on the salary?
IDK, just an idea.

Bergen Record wrote: Though Thorn won't admit to having an agenda when he leaves for All-Star Weekend Thursday morning, the entire league is convinced that he's going to try to upgrade his small-forward position. Numerous executives, however, claim that the Washington Wizards aren't likely to put Caron Butler on the market. Mike Miller of Minnesota is another matter. "We'll follow up on some conversations that have already transpired; I have a reasonable idea of what people want to do," Thorn said. "Sometimes face-to-face conversations lead to things that don't get done by phone. But I don't have any specific discussions planned." Newark Star-Ledger

The Nets would like to upgrade the small-forward position — Caron Butler and Mike Miller have come up – add more young, athletic players and get another point/combo guard. They probably can’t do it all by a week from today, but with an abundance of big men, three first-round picks the next two years and expiring contracts, the Nets will be in many conversations. The Bulls and Blazers are talking to everyone, so don’t discount a move with them.

Here's my schpiel on Mike Miller:

People tend to think of him as a three-point specialist, because he's been one of the NBA's top 3-point shooters for the last several years, but that's a disservice to Miller. He was actually #11 in TWO-point percentage last year, which is amazing in a league of dunkers and put-back guys. Hollinger ranked him as the #1 rebounding SG last year. He's an excellent passer, moves well without the ball, and while he's a mediocre defender at 6' 8" (he has trouble with speedier 2-guards), he's smart and he draws charges and gets a few blocks. The thing I like best is his unselfishness, since he'll play the 2, the 3, or even come off the bench if it helps the team.

This season Miller's shooting hasn't been as good, because of a few ankle sprains. However, it appears to be coming back .. he shot FG 59% and 3P 46% in February. He frustrated some MIN fans by his unwillingness to shoot in the past, but he's played well in all other aspects of the game, averaging 5.6 RPG and 3.1 APG. MIN would love to keep him, but he'd obviously be a bigger help to a team with play-off ambitions. His contract expires in summer 2010, which is also a plus.

I wouldn't mind at all if Rod pulls off a Miller trade, I just wonder what the common ground will wind up being for a deal to transpire?

vincecarter4pres wrote:I wouldn't mind at all if Rod pulls off a Miller trade, I just wonder what the common ground will wind up being for a deal to transpire?

I think that's going to be an issue, because I just can't see CLE or POR or some other contender not offering an expiring for Miller + Cardinal, which would make MIN a financial player in 2009 - a pretty big deal for an undesirable location.

So NJN would have to come up with an offer competitive to that. The Nets don't have enough expirings, but they do have some things that MIN would find interesting. MIN doesn't need present production, since they aren't a contender this season, but the Nets have future assets. The Nets also are deep at center .. a position MIN could use help at.

Yeah, I don't know either. I think MIN will try to sign Miller in 2010, but right now, his production is being wasted in Minnesota.