Mike Miller Cut From the Miami Heat Despite Good Numbers: A 'Difficult Decision,' Says Pat Riley
The Miami Heat waived forward Mike Miller, opting to use the amnesty clause. He will become a free agent.
Amnesty lets the Miami team cut one player and pay him the remainder of his contract. The money used to pay the remainder of the contract does not count toward the team's salary cap, according to CBS news.
The news of Mike Miller's amnesty comes just days after Miami Heat coach Pat Riley said the team would be keeping Miller on, according to CBS news.
"Right now, we're not using amnesty, no," head coach Pat Riley told the Associated Press June 13. Apparently Riley and the Heat have changed their minds and Mike Miller's contract will be broken. Coach Riley released a statement explaining the move.
"After many discussions internally and a sincere effort to explore the trade market, we made a very difficult decision to use our amnesty provision on Mike Miller," he said.
Riley went on to praise Mike Miller and his contributions to the Heat.
"Mike had an incredible impact on the Miami Heat; helping us to three Finals appearances and winning back-to-back world championships. This was a very difficult decision for me personally, the Arison family, Erik (Spoelstra) and the entire Miami Heat organization. Mike was one of the best we have ever had here, and will be sorely missed. We wish Mike, his wife Jennifer and their family nothing but the best," he continued.
It is unclear what Mike Miller will do with his free agency status or where he may end up playing next. Last season the forward averaged 4.8 points per game and was an asset to the Heat in the playoffs. Miller shot 44 percent from beyond the arc in the playoffs-- a performance that earned him a spot in the starting line up during the last three games of the NBA finals
