Clips won't match for Miller

Free-agent point guard cleared to join Nuggets soon

DENVER (AP) -- Andre Miller will soon join the Nuggets, giving Denver instant stability at point guard.

The Los Angeles Clippers have decided they will not match the Nuggets' offer for the free-agent guard, Nuggets spokesman Eric Sebastian said Thursday.

The Clippers have until midnight EDT Thursday to do so, and had no immediate comment.

The Nuggets signed Miller to a six-year, $51 million offer sheet in July. The offer for the four-year NBA player includes a $10 million signing bonus, and performance bonuses could push the total value to more than $55 million.

The Nuggets tied Cleveland for the worst record in the league at 17-65 and lost leading scorer and rebounder Juwan Howard in free agency. But they have a good, young core of players.

Brazilian forward Nene Hilario was a member of the NBA's All-Rookie team last season, while forward Rodney White showed glimpses of why the Detroit Pistons used a lottery pick on him two years ago. The Nuggets also have Syracuse star Carmelo Anthony, whom they took with the third pick in this year's draft.

Miller was one of the top free agent targets for the Nuggets, who have $18 million in salary cap space for next season.

Denver has struggled at point guard since Nick Van Exel was traded to Dallas in February 2002, with eight players filling that spot last season.

Miller led the league in assists with Cleveland in 2001-02, averaging 10.9 along with 16.5 points. Miller struggled with injuries last season after being traded to the Clippers and his averages dropped to 13.6 points and 6.7 assists.

 

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