Reggie Miller on the verge of re-signing with Pacers

[Pooh]

Miller on the verge of re-signing

(From Indystar.com)

Indiana's career leader in points and games played will almost certainly accept a significant pay cut.

Reggie Miller will finish his NBA career with the Indiana Pacers.

All that remains is the shooting guard's signature on a contract, which should be received within a week.

The 16-year veteran and his agent, Arn Tellem, have been presented with "options," Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh said Tuesday.

"Arn said he wants to sit down with Reggie and go over some things," Walsh said. "I'm optimistic we'll get it done."

Neither Tellem nor Miller, who turns 38 this month, could be reached for comment.

Miller is expected to accept a cut from the $12 million salary he made in each of the past two seasons.

With 12 players already under contract for next season at a combined salary of $51.5 million, it leaves the Pacers about $6 million shy of the projected luxury tax threshold.

The Pacers also want to add backcourt depth, with free agent Jon Barry high on their list.

Miller is coming off the least effective season since his rookie year. He averaged just 12.6 points, playing on an injured ankle that bothered him all season and required postseason arthroscopic surgery.

Miller's production dipped to 9.2 points on 28 percent shooting during the first-round playoff loss to Boston, when he made just 4-of-25 3-point shots.

Miller is the NBA's all-time leader in 3-pointers made with 2,330. He's also 15th on the NBA all-time scoring list (23,505 points), 252 behind Charles Barkley.

But his club-record 1,243 games played -- fourth on the NBA all-time list of games played with one team -- carry more weight that one sub-par season.

The Pacers' flexibility to negotiate with Miller has been bolstered by their long history.

"It's more a matter of how long Reggie feels he can play," said Walsh, who, per team policy, declined to talk about specifics of the contract proposals. "That's the bigger issue.

"We're trying to work it out to make sure he feels comfortable and we feel comfortable."

Walsh said Miller has started shooting again and should be ready for training camp.

The Pacers have three exceptions to the salary cap that could enable them to sign a free agent other than Miller.

Barry, also one of Tellem's clients, came to town for a visit with Pacers officials July 18.

The Denver Nuggets have also shown interest in Barry, 34, who played the past two seasons with the Detroit Pistons.

Walsh, however, wouldn't comment on Barry, saying his present focus is on re-signing Miller.

"It's never over until it's over," Walsh said. "I never assume a player is coming back. I never assume anything."

[ducks]

do you know what numbers they are talking?

nice for him to finsish his careeer there.

[Pooh]

Don't know yet Ducks, maybe about half...they have 6 million to play with before moving into luxury tax area.