Holding Miles hostage?

[acieEarl]

Did anyone think that Ainge may holding on to Miles to force Portland to make a favorable trade with Boston? Portland stands to take on his $9 million if he ends up playing for the Celts.

I could see Portland doing a S Blake for Pruitt and Scal trade and Danny agrees to cut Miles. Sounds pretty illegal, but if the conversation is behind closed doors who can prove it?

[yall hate]

If this were the case, what is to stop another team from then signing Miles and 'forcing' Portland into another bad trade. 

Also, aside from the possible illegality, Ainge would then be burning bridges with gm's risking future deals.

[nickagneta]

If the Celtics cut Miles, it will be interesting to see if someone like the Lakers picks him up to simply play him the 10 games because they need to make Portland less competitive.

[cordobes]

If the Celtics cut Miles, it will be interesting to see if someone like the Lakers picks him up to simply play him the 10 games because they need to make Portland less competitive.

And after they cut him, the Blazers would ask for another medical examination, and they'd get back the cap space.

Either Miles can play or he can't. If he can't, the league won't allow any team to pull this kind of trick.

Of course Portland won't trade for him, that would be the easiest way to have his salary back in the books and the insurance company saying they wouldn't pay another penny of his salary.

[acieEarl]

If the Celtics cut Miles, it will be interesting to see if someone like the Lakers picks him up to simply play him the 10 games because they need to make Portland less competitive.

Good point.

Maybe Ainge wasn't intent on f -ing with Portland, but Portland still needs Miles to retire and they may come to Ainge and says "cut him and we'll make a deal with you".

[cordobes]

http://www.thememphisedge.com/2008/12/13/griz-adding-darius-miles/

The Grizzlies are about to sign free-agent forward Darius Miles and the deal will be finalized by Sunday.

Miles, 27, is expected to arrive in Memphis Saturday morning. He will undergo a physical and sign a non-guaranteed, minimum contract before the Griz play the Miami Heat at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Miles spent training camp with the Boston Celtics but was waived before the start of the season. He has not played in an NBA game since 2006 because of a right knee injury. The Trail Blazers waived Miles at the end of last season.

Miles won’t be eligible to play for the Griz until Jan. 4. He must serve a 10-game suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug policy by testing positive for a banned weight-loss stimulant.

He can attend practices but cannot be in the arena two hours before the tip-off of games. The Griz visited with Miles in Chicago where he’s worked out since leaving Boston.

The Grizzlies’ gamble will last until Jan. 7 when they must decide whether to guarantee Miles for the rest of the season. He can appear in two games before then.

Chris Wallace with the bold move.

[greenwise]

I am happy for Miles, he deserves a second chance. Wondering if Pritchard is getting nervous

[Fafnir]

I am happy for Miles, he deserves a second chance. Wondering if Pritchard is getting nervous

I just hope he can get healthy. I don't have strong feelings for the guy one way or another, but I hate to see severe injuries derail any player.

[cordobes]

It's official now:

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/dec/13/griz-sign-former-star-forward-darius-miles/

This is interesting:

    Miles won't be eligible to play for the Griz until Jan. 4. He must serve a 10-game suspension for violating the league's anti-drug policy by testing positive for a banned weight-loss stimulant.

    He can attend practices but cannot be in the arena two hours before the tip-off of games. The Griz visited with Miles in Chicago where he's worked out since leaving Boston.

    The Grizzlies' gamble will last until Jan. 7 when they must decide whether to guarantee Miles for the rest of the season. He can appear in two games before then.

What are the odds that Miles will get that guaranteed contract? How much do they change if a POR/MEM trade happens meanwhile?

[guava_wrench]

There is no point in Portland trying to fight it once Miles makes it through the 10 game suspension. Once that happens, there is a much bigger chance that teams might give him a chance once they start giving up on the season and they start having injuries.

Does he have to see the floor in 10 games, or just be on the active roster for 10 games? I imagine it must be the latter.

[BudweiserCeltic]

If Portland did that to prevent Miles from playing I'm pretty sure Miles will have grounds to sue them. And probably there'll be a messy situation with the Players Association.

[zerophase]

didn't they want to make a conley deal to send him to portland? maybe this can be part of it.

[Dybdal]

For what its worth im happy Darius Miles got back into the league' he worked hard to come back from an injury no one said would be possible and proved you can come along way with a bucket full of determination.

[guava_wrench]

If Portland did that to prevent Miles from playing I'm pretty sure Miles will have grounds to sue them. And probably there'll be a messy situation with the Players Association.

I'm surprised people are still fixated with ideas of underhanded moves by Portland. No way they risk being penalized by the league for trying to circumvent salary cap rules a la Timberwolves.

[Chief]

Maybe Memphis uses this leverage (Miles) to get what they wanted in that rumored trade with Portland?