Miller underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee in May and hopes to return in mid-January. He averaged a career low 16.9 minutes per game last season in Houston and it's not clear how much he has left in the tank at age 36. He'll likely be trade fodder for a midseason deal since he doesn't factor into Minnesota's long-term plans. However, Rick Adelman has expressed his love for big men who can pass, so it's possible he could carve out a role if healthy.
Miller was rosterable as recently as the 2008-09 season, when he averaged 30 minutes per game between stints with Sacramento and Chicago. Last year, he played only 23.8 mpg and saw his value drop on a per-minute basis, as well-all of which made him waiver wire fodder. The 34-year-old signed three-year deal with Houston this July. He'll back up Yao Ming, and will remain on the fringes of relevance.
Miller is entering the final year of his contract, a fact that could bode well for his fantasy production this season. He’ll likely be coming off the bench, which will limit his minutes and totals but should also help keep him healthy. A move to another team isn’t out of the question, as Miller has a large and attractive expiring contract that could provide the Bulls significant cap relief at the end of the year. Miller is one of the best passing centers in the league (3.3 apg), has a consistent outside shot and is automatic from the charity stripe (team leading 85 percent). Miller also has the ability to step out and knock down long-range jumpers including the occasional three. While he’ll never be invited to a three-point shooting contest, Miller can provide a sneaky source of threes from the five. He spent the final 27 games with the Bulls last season after being traded from Sacramento in February. Joakim Noah will likely maintain the starting center role and could steal more of Miller’s minutes this season, but Miller has the ability to produce quality totals in limited minutes. Due to Miller’s strong playoff performance and Tyrus Thomas’ inconsistent play at the power forward position, there is some speculation that Miller will take over the starting center role this season and that the Bulls will move Noah to power forward, pushing Thomas to the bench.
Miller is coming off one of his better performances of the last few seasons, as he joined Kevin Garnett and Lamar Odom as the only three players in the NBA to average at least 10 points, 9.0 boards, and 3.0 assists per game. Miller bounced back nicely under new Kings coach Reggie Theus, who took advantage of Miller’s high-post passing skills in ways that previous coach Eric Musselman had not. Unfortunately for the 32-year old Miller, the Kings seem primed for a youth movement after trading Ron Artest for prospects and cap space this offseason. As such, we expect last year’s lottery draft pick Spencer Hawes to take a chunk of Miller’s playing time this year.
Miller is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career, due to a combination of injuries (19 games missed), a new coach, a bad team, and, worst of all, an apparent regression in skill. Former Kings coach Rick Adelman emphasized ball movement on offense and ran many plays through his big men. This played to Miller’s strengths as a passer, and made him one of the best combinations of scoring/percentages/assists among centers. Last season, though, then-coach Eric Musselman went to a more traditional outside-in offense that emphasized the strengths of perimeter players such as Kevin Martin and Ron Artest while minimizing Miller’s. Another season, and yet another coaching philosophy will be implemented by new coach Reggie Theus – a former Rick Pitino assistant, expected to push pressure defense and three-point shooting. Miller is now on the wrong side of 30, was never a superior athlete or defender, and is unlikely to become an impact player again. At one time Miller was one of the first roto centers off the board. This season he has a lot to prove to regain fantasy relevance.
In an up-and-down season for the Kings, Miller was a rock in the middle. He and Mike Bibby produced nightly and kept the Kings going until Ron Artest arrived to help them get into the playoffs. Miller’s got a nice all-around game from the center position. He can play away from the basket and hit the mid-range jumper or do the dirty work underneath. Miller has also unearthed an uncanny ability to pass the ball since coming to Sacramento in 2003 (4.3, 3.9 and 4.7 apg last three seasons). Add in his career 79.4 percent free-throw shooting and you have one of the better centers in the league.
Miller, who will again be the Kings’ starting center, brings a host of skills to the table that will help your fantasy team. Like most centers, he’ll give you boards (10.4 and 9.3 rpg in two seasons in Sacto) and field goal percentage (49.7% career). Unlike most centers, he can hit from the free throw line (78.8% career) and pass a little, leading all centers with 3.9 assists per game last year. Miller should be one of the top five centers taken in most fantasy drafts.
Miller is no stranger to center, having played the position while with the Pacers. Only starting twice last season may make him initially ineligible this year in some leagues. He averaged a double-double last year (14.1 ppg, 10.4 rpg) and averaged a career-high 36.4 mpg. Chris Webber is healthy, and there is no shortage of scoring options on this team, so Miller will never be greater than a third or fourth option. If the team grants Peja Stojakovic his wish and trades him, Miller could become a greater scoring threat. Miller is also an excellent source of assists from the center spot.
An All-Star center for the Pacers last season, Miller will be relegated to the role of backup now that he is in the Western Conference. Unless he can somehow supplant Divac as the Kings' starting center, Miller's numbers will significantly drop off this season. Given his limited minutes, Miller probably will not average more than nine points and six rebounds a game.
