The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly close to finding a trade partner they can trade Brendan Haywood to before August 1. The reason for that is because Haywood’s $10.5 million non-guaranteed contract becomes fully guaranteed on the first day of August.
Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com reported on the Haywood situation, and even thinks that another Cavalier could be involved in the trade. Here is the excerpt from Terry Pluto:
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“I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cavs added Mike Miller to a trade, perhaps one of the Brendan Haywood possible deals.
Miller has become very expendable after the Cavs signed Jefferson and then brought back James Jones. Both are stand-still shooters from 3-point range.
Miller wisely grabbed his $2.8 million option for 2015-16. He’s 35 and coming off a miserable season, shooting .325 from the field (.327 on 3-points) in 52 games.
The coaching staff lost confidence in Miller during training camp. They didn’t think the 35-year-old could defend, and Miller did little to prove them wrong. But even more disturbing, his shooting touch was gone.
Miller secured a two-year contract from the Cavs partly based on his 2013-14 season when he played in 81 games for Memphis. He averaged 7.1 points in 21 minutes a night, shooting .481 from the field (.451 on 3-pointers). He appeared to have plenty of game left as a part-time player.
Miller also had some nice seasons with Miami (2010-13), when he was a teammate of James.
But last season, it was as if he got old very fast.”
Pluto makes an excellent point in pointing out that Miller, who rarely played this past season, could very well be on his way out after signing a more active and mobile Richard Jefferson to a one-year deal.
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The fact that the coaching staff lost faith in him as early as training camp is a bit surprising, especially after Miller came off of an 82-game season with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2013-14 averaging 7.1 points in 20.8 minutes per game,