Miami Heat Waive Mike Miller With Amnesty Clause

The Miami Heat waived veteran Mike Miller using the league’s amnesty clause. The announcement came on Tuesday, just days after the Heat’s President Pat Riley claimed there was no need to use the amnesty provision.

But it appears the amnesty may have been needed for the Heat. Per the clause, Miller will be placed on waivers, where teams under their salary cap can place bids on him. If no one bids, Miller will become an unrestricted free agent.

Riley released a statement on Tuesday about the decision to amnesty Miller. CBS Sports reports that the Heat president explained:

“After many discussions internally and a sincere effort to explore the trade market, we made a very difficult decision to use our amnesty provision on Mike Miller.”

Riley went on to praise Miller and the effect the guard has had on the team. He added, “This was a very difficult decision for me personally, the Arison family, Erik and the entire Miami Heat organization. Mike was one of the best we have ever had here and will be sorely missed.”

ESPN notes that Mike Miller will save the Heat almost $17 million in luxury taxes this season, helping to almost cut in half the team’s expected tax bill. The Heat will still pay Miller $12.8 million over the next two seasons, per his contract. Miller stated of the Heat’s decision to amnesty him:

“I understand the business side of basketball. It’s a combination of being very, very thankful for the opportunity that I’ve had, but it hurts that we had a chance to do something very, very special and I’d love to have been a part of it.”

Teams that may be interested in bidding for Mike Miller include the Grizzlies, Thunder, Clippers, Spurs, and others. It is unlikely which team the guard would prefer to go to.

Mike Miller is not the only player to be waived via amnesty. Last week, the Lakers released Metta World Peace.

[Image by Keith Allison via Wikimedia Commons]