Blazers to sign free agent Andre Miller Posted by Jason Quick, The Oregonian July 24, 2009 11:58AM Categories: Breaking News, Free Agency, NBA The Trail Blazers have agreed to sign point guard Andre Miller to a multi-year contract, according to the player's agent. "We're closing in on a deal, we should have one shortly,'' agent Andy Miller told The Oregonian shortly before noon. Miller, 33, averaged 16.3 points, 6.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds last season for Philadelphia. He is regarded as a deft passer, particularly in throwing lob passes, and is known more for finishing inside - usually after a pump fake - than he is from making perimeter shots. Last season, he made only 28.3 percent from three-point range and during his 10-year career he is a 21 percent three-point shooter. Agent Andy Miller said the Blazers will exhaust nearly all of their $7.7 million in cap space to sign Miller. "It's a perfect fit, I have always felt that way,'' Andy Miller said. "I think he can take the Blazers to the next level in their quest for a championship.'' The Blazers tried to acquire Miller at the February trading deadline, but couldn't agree on a deal with the Sixers, the agent said. Miller was the Blazers' third choice in the free agent market, and their pursuit intensified in the last 24 to 36 hours, about the same time the Blazers pulled away from talks with New York free agent forward David Lee. According to Mark Bartelstein, Lee's agent, the forward met with the Blazers this week in Las Vegas, after which talks increased. However, on Thursday evening, the two sides agreed to part ways. "We agreed it wasn't a perfect fit,'' Bartelstein said. "There was a lot of conversation, a lot of back-and-forth, but there were a lot of issues on both sides.'' Bartelstein said the Blazers explored a sign-and-trade with the Knicks, but New York president Donnie Walsh recoiled at the offers. Meanwhile, Lee's camp had questions about his role on the Blazers, who have a solid front line with LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla. The Blazers also were wary of Lee's restricted status, which would allow New York to match any offer. It was the same scenario the Blazers encountered last week when Utah matched a four-year, $32 million offer for Paul Millsap. "I think they were concerned about a match,'' Bartelstein said. "They wanted to be 100 percent sure.'' With Miller, they got their assurance. He received only mild interest from Philadelphia, where he played for the past two and a half seasons. The Sixers offered him a one-year deal, worth around $6 million. The Knicks also flirted with Miller, but the Blazers had the most money to accommodate him. The signing of Miller gives the Blazers experience and depth at point guard. Returning starter Steve Blake is coming off an effective year, when he averaged a career-high 11.0 points and shot a career-high 42.7 percent from three-point range. He also added 5.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds and was fifth in the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio. The Blazers also have Jerryd Bayless, a second-year guard, who played to mixed reviews during the Las Vegas Summer League this month. The signing gives the Blazers 11 players under contract, a figure that is expected to reach 13 once second-round draft picks Jeff Pendergraph and Dante Cunningham are signed. It is unclear whether the Blazers will make another move before October's training camp. -- Jason Quick; [email protected] http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/07/ blazers_to_sign_free_agent_and.html --

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