Celtics Targeting Brad Miller? Please no

[RJ87]

Man, we're targeting Miller... really sums up how bleak our offseason is looking.

[paintitgreen]

Not sure who posted it in this thread, but I challenge the notion that with a big man rotation of Garnett, Baby, Shelden and Scal the Celtics could win 55-60 regular season games. That rotation would get you more like 45-47 wins at the most.

Completely concur with vinnie. We had that rotation plus Perk and Sheed and won 52 games this year.

[Cman]

I think Miller is available for the LLE and that he will most likely get that. Small chance he is available for a minimum contract.

I've seen a couple of teams linked to him already. The most serious of those seems to be the Houston Rockets. Appearently, Adelman is pushing hard for him + Houston want a 20-25 minute a night legitimate center so that they can bring back Yao slowly.

Cs don't have the LLE to use (since it was used last year on M. Daniels.

I think folks have an outdated idea of what it costs to sign a decent backup center in this league.

Backup centers who recently signed contracts (I got this from the shamsports site, and stopped after the Detroit Pistons):
Zaza Pachulia (4 years $19M, 2009)
Nazr Mohammed (5 years full MLE, 2006)
Desagana Diop (5 years full MLE, 2008)
Varejao (6 year $48M, 2009)
Chris Anderson (5 year $21M, 2009)
Kwame Brown (2 year $8M, 2008)
Ben Wallace (1 year min, 2009)
Fabricio Oberto (3 year $11M, 2007)
...

You get the idea.  Anyone looking to sign Miller is looking at spending probably close to $4M per year.  Miller will have fewer good years left, so it will be a shorter contract -- probably similar to Oberto's.  If the Cs could sign Miller to a 2 year $8M contract, it would count as a bargain.

Now (1) some might object to the idea that Brad Miller counts as a "decent" backup center, but don't fool yourselves too much.  He is decent&serviceable, but not great.
(2) Ben Wallace was available cheap last year.  But that's about it on the list.  If he's willing to do that again, and do it for the Celtics, then great, let's get him.

[wdleehi]

Since there are multiple team likely to be looking at him, full MLE is most likely.


I think he is worth it as long as it is not a 3 or more year deal.

[Marqui]

Man, we're targeting Miller... really sums up how bleak our offseason is looking.

Yea, we should be targeting Dwight Howard. 

[RJ87]

Man, we're targeting Miller... really sums up how bleak our offseason is looking.

Yea, we should be targeting Dwight Howard. 

That's not what I meant, so the sarcasm is unneeded.

But there's other options besides Miller, who's 34 and an average rebounder... I really do think we can do better with our MLE. If he was a fall back option, maybe I could see it. But him being our biggest target? That's disappointing.

[celticinorlando]

there are no bigs out there worth a crap....this move is proving that

[Chris]

I would hope they could sign him, as well as a younger guy like Amir Johnson or Travis Outlaw, and if that is the case, he would be a perfect fit.

I am a little biased, because Miller has been a favorite of mine since his early years with the Bulls when he was a no name destroying the C's with his rebounding and toughness. 

But right now, he brings intelligence, excellent passing, decent shooting, and a lot of toughness inside.  He would immediately be able to step into the C's lineup, and will be better than just about anyone else available.

I think they do need to find a way to add some youth up front as well, but the most immediate need is adding someone who you can trust to hold down the fort while Perk is out, and he is perfect for that, if the price is right.

[vinnie]

Go with Semih Erden and see what happens.

[celtics2]

Put me in the want B. Miller camp, as small as that is.

[RJ87]

Go with Semih Erden and see what happens.

I actually agree.
I don't wanna spend the MLE on an aging/declining center... Not again...

[twinbree]

Sigh. With the limited options out there I'm trying to resign myself to us getting a big I hate. A necessary evil given the situation. If we do sign Miller the other players we sign must have some more young and energy. Using the MLE to get slower and less athletic next season isn't what I was hoping for.

[Ace_Geraci]

Go with Semih Erden and see what happens.

I wouldn't mind bringing over Erden to see what he can do. He has length and can run the floor. But I would definitely not count on him to be our starting center or to get major minutes. Miller, on the other hand, is a proven vet who can get you 10 points, 7 boards, and 2 assists per as a starter. I don't think Erden could do that right off the bat.

How sure are we that Erden is even going to sign? I've seen a couple rumors but nothing concrete. I think a trio of Miller, Erden, and Parakhouski could hold us over until Perkins returns. I know Parakhouski is just a summer league invite, but I've seen alot worse 3rd centers than him. Plus the kid is an absolute beast and at worse will be a monster on the boards.

[Chris]

Go with Semih Erden and see what happens.

I actually agree.
I don't wanna spend the MLE on an aging/declining center... Not again...

What about a small portion of the MLE.  I don't think Miller is going to get anywhere near the MLE. 

I think of Miller as a slightly better (and much more durable) Scott Pollard from 2008.  He is not a Sheed like signing. 

So if they can sign him for 2 years/$5 million, and then use the rest of the MLE on a young guy like Amir Johnson or Travis Outlaw, wouldn't that make sense?

Even if Erden is an NBA player (that is a huge if), the chances of him being ready to play big minutes right away are very slim.  So with Miller, you have someone who can hold down the fort for the first few months, while Erden gets his feet wet, and Perk gets healthy. 

I don't think you sign Miller as an impact free agent, but I think having someone like him as depth would be very valuable.

[EJPLAYA]

A big who can shoot outside, plays extremely physical and rebounds, and doesn't expect to come in here and start is something that I could handle. Say what you want about the guy, but we could have used a little nastiness in that finals. I'd prefer that Sheed played again, but that doesn't appear likely. If not, Brad Miller at the right price would be a good thing. (As much as I hate the guy personally, although many of you said the same thing about Sheed)