Lakers Offer Mike Miller 30 million for 5 years

According to various sources, the Los Angeles Lakers have offered free agent Mike Miller a contract for 30 million dollars over 5 years, presumably using their midlevel exception.

Most commentaries have noted that Mike Miller has been one of the league's most consistent three-point shooters. However, as outlined in my previous column, Miller is particularly a good fit with the Lakers because he can actually handle the ball, pass, and make plays.

Moreover, despite speculation that he would come off the bench, Mike Miller may actually start - without even replacing Artest. Given Phil Jackson's recent decision to return as the Lakers' coach, Miller would have a unique role in the triangle offense as a big guard, as demonstrated by Scottie Pippen, Ron Harper, Brian Shaw, Toni Kukoc, and even Kobe Bryant.

Miller's unique combination of size and guard skills would allow the Lakers to play as a primary facilitator, and even allow the Lakers front office to forgo the arduous task of finding an upgrade at point guard.

As long as the Lakers continue to play Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Ron Artest in the frontcourt, the team would invariably be best in the halfcourt, running the triangle offense. No longer would Kobe dominate the backcourt due to necessity (or sometimes, Kobe's choice). As a capable ballhandler, Miller would be able to deliver post entry passes more easily due to his height and vision, seeing over defenses. Considering Gasol, Bynum, Kobe, and Artest are all post threats, this would give the Lakers an additional dimension they wouldn't have with Fisher. Moreover, Miller's instincts would utilize Bynum's reach around the rim, and finding Artest spotting up in the perimeter.

Most importantly, Mike Miller would be a pressure-release valve for the Lakers' over-reliance on Kobe Bryant. Defenses wouldn't be able to load up on Kobe (they'd pay dearly courtesy of Miller's shooting), nor pack in the paint using various forms of soft zones - which gave the Lakers trouble the past few years.

Although Lamar Odom was envisioned as a potential primary facilitator in the triangle, it appears that this experiment has failed. His assists average the past three years have all been career lows. Instead, Odom is best in the open court, powering a fastbreak from a rebound, navigating past fewer defenders, seeing one clear play at a time. In the halfcourt, his decision-making has been underwhelming. Due to his lack of a consistent shot, defenses defend the entry pass and drop back to force him to shoot. Moreover, since he doesn't have the ability to change directions, he cannot break down defenses off the dribble. He ends up committing offensive fouls, or, because of his poor free-throw shooting, avoids driving altogether. Playing in the halfcourt in this system has limited his creativity and confidence, and ultimately Odom has become either a simple-minded inflexible player or overly deferential to Kobe Bryant.

However, Miller's addition would be vastly different. Mike Miller is a truly multifaceted guard, a triangle-ideal interchangeable perimeter player, who would free his teammates to play to their strengths and allow the triangle to be run as it always was meant to be run - unpredictable and punishing.