The world-champion Miami Heat are leaning toward waiving forward Mike Miller in order to avoid paying the luxury tax.
According to ESPN, the Heat have until July 16 to either amnesty Miller or incur the tax. Miller is owed nearly $13 million on the remaining two years of his contract.
Amid all the euphoria of winning their second straight title, Heat president Pat Riley made it clear at the end of the season he wanted to keep the 33-year-old Miller on the roster. Riley emphasized the only way he would reconsider is if he got a direct “mandate” from owner Micky Arison and CEO Nick Arison.
After recently re-signing free agent center Chris “Birdman” Anderson, the Heat’s payroll figures to top $88 million next season. According to ESPN, that places the team some $16.4 million over the luxury-tax threshold and, based on the way the salary cap is structured, would require them to pay nearly $34 million in taxes.
Over the last two playoff seasons, Miller has more than proved his worth. He was the Game 5 hero when the Heat won the title over Oklahoma City in 2012, and this year his deadly outside shooting landed him in the starting lineup against San Antonio after the Heat had fallen behind in the Finals 3-2.
Since assembling the Big 3 of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the Heat have paid a total of $19 million in taxes, including $13.3 million for last year’s championship team. If the Heat use the amnesty on Miller, it will save them nearly $17 million in taxes and knock their projected bill down to roughly $16.9 million.
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