The Minnesota Timberwolves added veteran leadership to their backcourt, agreeing to a one-year deal with point guard Andre Miller. His agent Andy Miller confirmed the news to the Associated Press.
"He's very excited about the opportunity. He was sold on the direction of the team and the veteran leadership he could provide to a promising young roster. He felt it was a good fit for him," Andy told the Associated Press.
Miller is a 16-year veteran who was a first-round draft pick in 1998 by the Cleveland Cavaliers where he spent the first three seasons of his NBA career.
Since then, he had stops with the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, and the Washington Wizards before ending up last season with the Sacramento Kings.
The 39-year-old guard played 81 games in the 2014–15 season, splitting it with the Wizards and Kings because of a trade that sent him to Sacramento in exchange for fellow point guard Ramon Sessions last February.
In 30 games for the Kings last season, he averaged 5.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game.
Overall, Miller averaged 4.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists during the 2014-15 season in his time with Washington and Sacramento.
The addition of Miller is huge for Minnesota as he joins fellow veteran forward Kevin Garnett who returned to the team last season via trade from the Brooklyn Nets.
The two veterans will surely be the leaders of a young Timberwolves squad that aims to enter the playoffs after missing it for the past 11 seasons.
Miller will likely be mentoring young point guards Ricky Rubio and rookie Tyus Jones; while Garnett will possibly be taking 2015 No.1 pick Karl Anthony-Towns under his wing.
Andy also cited his client's love for lob passes and believes he can thrive with the Timberwolves who have high-flyers in 2015 Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins and reigning Slam Dunk champion Zach LaVine.
