The Oklahoma City Thunder are getting some relief in the finance department. The NBA's Board of Governors voted to reimburse the team several million dollars on Kevin Durant's current contract. With that money saved, the Thunder can target a cheaper free agent. After clearing waivers, Mike Miller is the player being targeted.
Durant signed a five-year max contract back in the summer of 2010 before the new Collective Bargaining Agreement was put in place in 2011. Under the new CBA rules, players can qualify for what Zach Lowe of Grantland is calling a "super-max" deal. Players can be paid 30 percent of the salary cap if they meet certain criteria like being named to the All-NBA Frist, Second or Third team twice, voted an All-Star twice or named the league's MVP once.
Durant met those qualifications when he signed his contract, technically costing the Thunder more money, something they had no idea would happen. The vote Thursday will reimburse the team the difference of what they thought they owed Durant and what they actually owe. CBS Sports reports is could be roughly $15 million.
With the extra cash, the Thunder are officially the frontrunners to land Miller. General manager Sam Presti is scheduled to meet with Miller this week to discuss a contract. The team does not have a ton of cap space, but with the extra money and a league minimum contract, they can get Miller signed to something favorable. Oklahoma would likely release a player or two to make room.
Miller is an enticing player to sign. He was key in helping the Miami Heat win back-to-back championships, one of them over the Thunder. He excels from 3-point range, giving quality minutes off the bench. In this season's Finals, Miller went 11 of 18 from 3-point range. He is playoff-tested and can still show elite talent.
Miller is technically considering offseason back surgery that have caused several teams to defer interest but it could also just be a smokescreen to allow him to have his pick of which team he signs with. Miller is looking to sign with a contender and the Thunder are certainly that.
"I'm excited about the next spot. I'm re-energized. I really am. I'm just feeling healthy. I'm ready to play. I started to get back in there again last week and I can't wait to play again next year," Miller told the Sun-Sentinel.
The Thunder will try and sign Miller as quickly as possible. Even with the back issue, a team will pick him up quickly.
