Could keeping Mike Miller benefit Al-Farouq Aminu?

When the Portland Trail Blazers traded for Mike Miller on July 26, it was widely expected that a buyout agreement was soon to follow. However, almost exactly one month has passed since Miller was sent to Portland and there has been no news regarding his future with the team. Could it be that the Trail Blazers plan on keeping Miller for the 2015-16 NBA season?

At this point in his career, Miller does not offer much in the way of on-court contributions. Last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he averaged 2.1 points and 1.8 rebounds per game; career-lows in his 15th season. He will not figure heavily, if at all, into the Trail Blazers’ regular game plan. However, he could be particularly helpful to one of his teammates behind the scenes.

Apr 26, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Al-Farouq Aminu (7) celebrates during the game against the Houston Rockets in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Fellow small forward Al-Farouq Aminu is noted as being a strong defensive player with an incomplete offensive game. Shooting from beyond the arc is his most egregious insufficiency. After five years in the league, his career 3-point average is an abysmal 28.6 percent. It would make sense, then, for the Trail Blazers to help him improve any way that they can; especially since Head Coach Terry Stotts has stated that some players will be asked to step it up from deep.

For the last decade and a half, Miller has been one of the NBA’s best bombers. He has ranked among the top-5 in 3-point percentage league-wide four times. His career 3-point percentage of 40.7 ranks 10th among active players, and 20th in all of NBA history. Is there any better player-coach for Aminu and others to learn from?

The Trail Blazers need Aminu to be a passable shooter if he is to play with the starters as anticipated, and now they have one of the all-time greats available to teach him. If the Trail Blazers hold onto Miller, I could see him working with Aminu similarly to the way in which Chris Kaman worked with Meyers Leonard last season, acting as a mentor that imparts wisdom, tips, and techniques to a teammate in desperate need.

Now, I do not think anyone expects Aminu to suddenly emerge as an exceptional shooter, even with Miller’s hypothetical guidance, but a leap from sub-par to adequate would not be out of the question. He only needs to be good enough to pose a threat and space the floor. That is a reasonable goal for him.

Because the Trail Blazers can potentially use Miller as means to an end for Aminu, it will be interesting to see if they decide not to initiate buyout talks. Outside of Miller and Kaman, there is a distinct lack of veterans on the roster. Maybe keeping Miller on board just to see if he fits as a teacher is not such a bad idea.

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