[USA Today Sports]
There were no sentiments, melancholy or happiness with Andre Miller being traded this afternoon. The best part of all this is that it’s over and done with. Everyone can go on their merry ways. The Nuggets trading Miller brought indifference from the public and relief for the principals involved in the trade.
The trade had to happen just so the Nuggets can address other issues at hand. And no, it’s hard to believe the Nuggets received anything good in return. The 6-foot-11 forward Jan Vesely is nothing more than a warm body at best in what the Nuggets received in return for their surly point guard.
This wasn’t addition by subtraction trade since the Nuggets will not be better or worse with Miller gone. This was about getting an unhappy player out of Denver. Now, Shaw doesn’t have to answer questions about his banished point guard. He can move on after expressing annoyance about the questions.
In Miller’s view, he can get back to playing basketball. He may not get the minutes he is going to desire, but he will be playing for a playoff team in the Wizards.
Who cares if Miller got the better of this deal? The Nuggets weren’t winning anything with him. His best days are behind him. He is a role player at best. This isn’t Carmelo Anthony pulling all the stops in getting his way to leave the Nuggets.
Remember the Nuggets were going to move on from Miller by adding Randy Foye and Nate Robinson in the backcourt this season, so Miller’s minutes were going to be dwindled. It was a matter of time until he was gone even if he was a good solider.
The fans couldn’t care less about Miller. They wanted him gone long before his incident with Shaw.
It’s too bad Miller’s tenure had to end this way. He will be remembered more for being a malcontent than for the professionalism he brought to the team during his tenure in Denver.
Miller could be high maintenance, but he also wanted to win. He wanted to be a guy that made the big shots. Let’s remember he did played a role in making shots in tight games in the last two years. He gave the Nuggets everything they got. There’s a reason he is still in the league at his age.
For whatever reason, it did not work with him and Shaw. Part of that was age, and part of that was he was too proud to play limited minutes. It could have worked out if both parties were interested.
No one looked good here. Shaw came off insecure by banishing his player from the team after his point guard screamed at him on New Year’s Day, and Miller had no interest in wanting to agree to make up with his coach. Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly showed no leadership in trying to alleviate the matter.
The Nuggets only should be happy that they got an unwanted nuisance out of the organization. They don’t have to do the dirty work of dealing with the possibility that Miller had to be back of the team. They also don’t have to pay Miller anymore whether he’s on the team or serving his banishment.
They can only know Miller won’t do much for the Wizards, so they can get off easily.
The Nuggets should have traded Miller this offseason, especially when they were bringing in so many guards to take his minutes. That was a message that he was no longer in their plans. They knew Miller was not going to react well to that, so they shouldn’t be surprised he lost it altogether.
Yes, Miller should have been the grownup here, but the Nuggets shouldn’t have let his situation festered in the first place. If Connelly thought he was going to get anything in value for the point guard, he was delusional. He should have taken anyone of value and move on.
Connelly should be thankful he was able to get someone in return. It should be surprising considering Miller has done nothing all season for the Nuggets. The Wizards wanted a point guard who can bring some experience in the postseason, and they got that Miller who can still play.
While Miller wlll be playing in April, the Nuggets will be busy hoping for the best in the NBA lottery.
It doesn’t matter what happens in the trade. What matters is everyone is happy to move on.
Contact or follow Leslie Monteiro at @LightRodWriter.
Leslie Monteiro
Leslie is a contributor for Lightning Rod Sports. He covered high school sports in Bergen County out in North Jersey, and has written op-ed columns on sports such as Bleacher Report and NY Sports Digest.
