| 10 January 2009
We'll see just how far Portland's resolve goes soon, with Darius Miles reportedly signing with the Memphis Grizzlies. Miles was waived last Tuesday after playing a few games with Memphis, and looks like he'll be back there soon. If he plays two more games this season, then the $18 million Portland are paying him will count against the salary cap. It's worth pointing out that this is not an issue of money for Portland, it's an issue of salary cap. Darius Miles gets the money regardless, he is a medical exemption - an independent doctor stated that Miles had not recovered from microfracture knee surgery... but if he plays 2 more games, that $18 million will go back onto the Portland books.
And that will hurt.
Portland will be way over the cap, and have to pay luxury tax - divided amongst other teams (which will amount to about $250,000 per team). It will also pretty much prevent Portland from becoming a free agent destination... which it looked to be one of the destinations of choice.
Once Miles signs with Memphis, the ball will back in Portland's court, and we'll see if they judge the Grizzlies to be "signing Darius Miles specifically and maliciously to hurt our organization..." (Portland Team President Larry Miller) My bet? No. The NBA pretty much stated that it would find no fault in anyone signing Darius Miles. The memo they sent out to all NBA teams regarding Portland's threat was unequivocal on that.
The NBA has received the email sent last night by Portland to all teams. Under league rules, teams are free to sign Darius Miles to a Uniform Player Contract if they wish to secure his services as a player, and any such contract would be approved by the NBA.
Time will tell I guess...
