Philadelphia 76ers' point guard Andre Miller just came off his best season since 2001-02, averaging of career highs 17 PPG on 49.2% shooting, along with 4 RPG, 6.9 APG and 1.3 SPG. Now that he's in the final year of his contract, Miller, who previously did not have an agent, hired Andy Miller according to the Philadelphia Daily News. Andy Miller also represents Sixers' first round pick Marreese Speights. He spoke on the situation saying "Andre is optimistic about where the team is and is excited about the immediate future."
Miller, who is 32, is set to make over $10.3 million this season and he and his new agent have had discussions with team president and GM Ed Stefanski. The article also says that a contract extension will be discussed.
Miller was a key player in the playoffs for the Sixers in their 2 wins against the Detroit Pistons, including a game one upset in Detroit. Even though the Sixers lost the series, he had two 20 point games in those wins. Without a doubt, he was the MVP of that team in the postseason and the most consistent of any player.
At 32 years old, age might be a concern going into contract talks, but injury will not. Miller has played 80+ games every season for nine seasons, including six 82 game seasons. The Sixers also made some big signings in the off-season. They grabbed big men Elton Brand from the Los Angeles Clippers and seasoned veteran Theo Ratliff from the Pistons and three point specialists Donyell Marshall from the Seattle Supersonics and Kareem Rush from the Indiana Pacers.
They also signed restricted free agents Andre Iguodala and Louis Williams. With this core of players that they have there's no way they let Miller go. Next year, they'll have a starting line-up of Miller, Green, Iguodala, Brand and Dalembert. They have a solid team to contend in the East against the Pistons, Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers. They won't want to change anything for the year after.
In 2009, the team will go into the season $12-13 million under the luxary tax, giving them plenty of room to negotiate a contract and sign a free agent too. As for his age, Miller could have four or five more years left in him. At the end of the day, everyone is going home happy.
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