[USA Today]
After Miami Heat President Pat Riley said he saw no need to use the amnesty provision on forward Mike Miller, the Heat did exactly that and waived the veteran forward on Tuesday.
“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 said in a statement. “Mike had an incredible impact on the Miami Heat; helping us to three Finals appearances and winning back-to-back world championships. This was a very difficult decision for me personally, the Arison family, Erik (Spoelstra) and the entire Miami Heat organization. Mike was one of the best we have ever had here, and will be sorely missed. We wish Mike, his wife Jennifer and their family nothing but the best.”
The Heat’s decision to clear Miller’s salary from salary cap figures (though Miller will still be paid the 12.8 million he is owed) came nearly three weeks after Riley said, “We don’t feel like it’s necessary” to amnesty Miller.
However, economics ruled the decision. Removing Miller’s $6.2 million salary for 2013-14 will save the Heat more than $16 million in luxury tax payments under the new, more punitive tax rate that kicks in next season.