CJ Miles signs a 4-year, 15 mil deal with Oklahoma City, Jazz have 7 days to match (Poll)
Posted: 5:51 PM- There won't be anybody questioning C.J. Miles' decision to skip the Rocky Mountain Revue any longer. Now the Jazz's biggest concern is whether Miles will be playing for another team entirely this season.
Miles signed a four-year, $15 million contract with Oklahoma City, sources said Friday. Utah will have seven days to decide about matching the offer sheet and keeping the restricted free-agent guard.
The Jazz will have to take into account the luxury-tax implications of matching the offer, especially with young guards Ronnie Brewer and Morris Almond already on their roster. Miles averaged 5.0 points and played in 60 games last season.
Miles would be able to compete for a starting job with the newly relocated Oklahoma City team, which went 20-62 last season in Seattle but is building around top draft picks Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook.
"I'd be excited for C.J.," Deron Williams said. "I want him back here in the baddest way. I think he can be a great player for us if he gets the opportunity. I don't think he's ever been really given an opportunity to come in and prove himself."
Troy Weaver, who spent four years as the Jazz's director of player personnel and head scout, left in May to become Oklahoma City's assistant general manager. Although Weaver liked Miles, Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti was said to have driven the deal.
Even though he has played three seasons, Miles was the 14th youngest player in the NBA last season. The 21-year-old was a second-round pick by the Jazz in 2005, part of the last class of high school players able to enter the draft.
He showed flashes of his potential during a 10-game stretch at the end of December and beginning of January. With Gordan Giricek banished by Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, Miles stepped in and averaged 10.5 points on 55.6 percent shooting.
But Miles found himself the odd man out of the rotation after Kyle Korver's arrival in a trade with Philadelphia. He bounced game to game from the end of the bench to the starting lineup as an injury replacement for Brewer or Andrei Kirilenko.
The Jazz and Miles also were at odds over his decision to skip the Revue both this summer and last. Miles' camp saw it as an injury risk with potentially millions at stake as a free agent; Sloan saw it as the wrong decision for a young player trying to develop.
This week, Sloan described Miles as having been "way, way behind" at the start of training camp last year. Miles' representatives believed he was punished for the decision and questioned why it was being revisited months into last season.
Williams said he thought Sloan "held it against [Miles] a little bit last year" that he didn't play in the Revue while adding that Miles "put himself in a position to get a lot of money in this league, and I think a lot of people speak highly of him."
"I think people think that C.J. was just not going to get any offers or he's just sitting at home, but he works out hard every day," Williams said. "I talk to him once a week and he's always working out, always getting better."
When he was in New York as part of a USA Basketball promotional trip, Williams said "a lot of guys, LeBron [James] and some of those other guys, were saying how impressed they were with C.J."
What was missing was evidence that some team was prepared to make Miles a serious offer. He returned to the Jazz last season on a $945,610 qualifying offer. But that all changed Friday.
Miles' offer from Oklahoma City is on par with what Detroit's Amir Johnson (three years, $11 million) and Washington's Andray Blatche (five years, $15 million) signed for last summer. The two were fellow high school players and second-round picks along with Miles.
The offer to Miles is guaranteed for three years with a fourth-year team option. It is said to dwarf previous multiyear contracts the Jazz had talked about with Miles, believed to be worth no more than $4 million for two years.
Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said, "If he does get an offer sheet, we'll look at what the numbers are and we'll make some determination." O'Connor added: "There's very few restricted free agents who have signed yet. They are the last ones to sign."
What do you guys think, I personally think the Jazz should match the offer sheet and try to keep him, he can be a special player in the future.
All comments are the opinion of the commenter and not necessarily that of SLC Dunk or SB Nation.
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I like CJ
I think he has a ton of potential.
But that’s way too much money for a Jazz team that already has a ton of questionable (at best) contracts.
The Utah Jazz. The Jazz... duh.
The best NBA team in Utah... no doubts about it!
Playing For Pride. Pirates, Utes, Panthers, and more...
Because, in the end, only one team can "win it all".
by UtesFan89 on Jul 18, 2008 7:07 PM MDT 0 recs
Almost $4 per year average...
way too much for a 12th man/injured list guy, which is what he’ll be because J-Slow hates him.
The Utah Jazz. The Jazz... duh.
The best NBA team in Utah... no doubts about it!
Playing For Pride. Pirates, Utes, Panthers, and more...
Because, in the end, only one team can "win it all".
by UtesFan89 on
Jul 18, 2008 7:09 PM MDT
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I think it's bye-bye CJ
I would love to see CJ back with the Jazz, but I think he’s gone. Not unless they trade a certain former quarter back in the next week.
by Basketball John on Jul 18, 2008 7:10 PM MDT 0 recs
yeah he's gone...
I love CJ and wish him the best. But I can’t see the Jazz matching this offer for a guy who couldn’t get out of Jerry’s doghouse. I think Sloan is to blame for letting CJ get away. If, by chance, they do match it, I gotta think CJ will be pissed to still be playing for Sloan. I love what Sloan has done for this organization, but he effed CJ’s situation up pretty badly. I never thought CJ got a fair shake from him. I’m sad to see him go, and it sounds like D-Will is too. It’s too bad that J-Slo has had this incomprehensible man-crush on Harpring, while he’s let this superior swingman in CJ rot on the bench. Good luck CJ! Hope the grass is greener on the other side!
by neff on Jul 18, 2008 7:44 PM MDT 0 recs
One more thing...
Does CJ realize he has to move and live in OKC? He knows they’re not in Seattle any more, right?
by Basketball John on Jul 18, 2008 7:52 PM MDT 0 recs
I don't think he cares...
it’s closer to home, and he’ll be playing.
He could be competing for a starting job (or a key bench job)... depending on where they play Durant & Green.
He’s not getting that chance in Utah… not until J-Slow overcomes his stupid man-crushes.
The Utah Jazz. The Jazz... duh.
The best NBA team in Utah... no doubts about it!
Playing For Pride. Pirates, Utes, Panthers, and more...
Because, in the end, only one team can "win it all".
by UtesFan89 on
Jul 18, 2008 8:11 PM MDT
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Au revoir CJ.
I really like the guy, but there is no way that J-Slo will let the Jazz match this contract. He has a ton of potential and seems like a great guy, but he’s in Jerry’s doghouse and he’ll never get out.
The only thing I worry about though is that he’s another player that Deron would like to have around, and they should be doing everything in their power to keep Deron happy.
Side note: When I first read OKC I was like what? Who plays there? Poor Seattle.
by DaniellelovesKK on Jul 18, 2008 8:13 PM MDT 0 recs
Do they really care?
Deron’s under their control for 4 more years now.
The Utah Jazz. The Jazz... duh.
The best NBA team in Utah... no doubts about it!
Playing For Pride. Pirates, Utes, Panthers, and more...
Because, in the end, only one team can "win it all".
by UtesFan89 on
Jul 18, 2008 8:16 PM MDT
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It's probably for the best
I know a lot of people liked CJ, but potential is potential and ball players are ball players. I think he would have cracked the rotation by now if it is going to happen. I think he is good, but I have never thought that he should be playing over anyone else. He has never shown a true commitment to defense. And besides, I think Almond is probaby already almost as good and it clears up a roster spot for us. I don’t think there is a chance that we match that offer.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on Jul 18, 2008 8:23 PM MDT 0 recs
I don't think
CJ was ever given a fair shot to crack the rotation.
He was given time with the Giricek thing, but went from starter to DNP-CD with the trade for Korver.
I mean, if he really was that bad (enough to get DNP-CDs), why was he starting? That type of jerking around can never be good for anyone.
Potential can only turn you into a ball-player when you have time to develop.
Playing one-on-one against a rock in your backyard is never enough… you have to play against the “best of the best” (aka, the NBA-ers) at some point. CJ hasn’t gotten that shot (consistently) yet.
The Utah Jazz. The Jazz... duh.
The best NBA team in Utah... no doubts about it!
Playing For Pride. Pirates, Utes, Panthers, and more...
Because, in the end, only one team can "win it all".
by UtesFan89 on
Jul 18, 2008 8:30 PM MDT
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He was low on the totem pole...and for good reason.
CJ Miles started the season as our shooting guard two years ago AND started all those games at the 3 last year. The reason he went from starting to DNP is because if someone is injured, Sloan doesn’t like to take the next best person and automatically start them. He puts in the third stringer sometimes so that he could keep Harpring or Millsap coming off the bench. It is kind of a weird coaching thing, but if Miles isn’t going to kill us, then let him start and it will keep out bench the same. But it gave CJ a chance, one that he didn’t grasp either of the last two years. He played okay, but not great. He deserved to be third string SF. He isn’t as good as AK or Harpring. As bad as Harpring is sometimes, he was a lot more productive than CJ. And CJ didn’t deserve more time. He isn’t as confident of a shooter as Korver and he doesn’t commit to defense better than anyone on the team. Two years ago he stood around defensively every possession. That is why he lost his starting job. I have always felt like CJ could become a good player, maybe not a starter, but he has one of the purest shots on the team. But he never wowed.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on Jul 19, 2008 5:18 AM MDT 0 recs
I guess I'm leaning on potential too much.
He has the potential to be good/great.
He has the potential to really help the Jazz.
He has the potential to be better than Harpring at either the 2 or the 3 (who doesn’t???).
He has the potential to be a better 2-guard than Korver (Korver v. Vujacic proves that Korver can’t do it).
But he hasn’t done enough (it seems) to improve and take advantage of the potential.
He’s skipped the RMR each of the last 2 seasons.
Unlike Araujo (who supposedly practiced hard and was good, but still never got into a game) & Shorty (who got into the game, but ended up not being resigned because LHM doesn’t trust Deron at all), you never hear anything about CJ practicing hard or anything. I guess that was the first sign (well, 2nd… after the missed RMR last year). I guess that’s why he never played… and probably will be in OKC next year. J-Slow completely ignores potential and all… good, but only to a point. At some point, potential has to get a look, especially when you’re playing the Warriors and playing 5 on 4 because your back-up 3 can’t keep up with anyone on the Warriors.
Whatever… J-Slow’s the coach that’s never won the Finals. I’m just a fan frustrated by that fact.
AdÃos, CJ.
Scary thought… anything happens to AK next year, and Harpring will be starting and playing like 30 minutes a game. Cover your eyes.
The Utah Jazz. The Jazz... duh.
The best NBA team in Utah... no doubts about it!
Playing For Pride. Pirates, Utes, Panthers, and more...
Because, in the end, only one team can "win it all".
by UtesFan89 on
Jul 19, 2008 9:05 AM MDT
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That's a scary thought.
Let’s hope that doesn’t happen. But, if something did happen to AK, do you think they’d let Almond start and still keep Matty coming off the bench? By the way, is Almond playing for the Flash this year, or will he just be keeping J-shart and Collins company at the end of the bench?
My final thought on this is that even though I like CJ, I’d take KK over him anyday.
by DaniellelovesKK on
Jul 19, 2008 1:11 PM MDT
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...
Almond will probably end up in Orem, unless J-Slow decides to use him (doubtful… he won’t be anything more than the 3rd string 2-guard, so it seems).
I agree on KK, but only at the 3-spot. At the 2-guard, I’d go with CJ. I really don’t think KK is a 2-guard, no matter how many times J-Slow runs him out as such. Just like I didn’t (and still don’t) think that Fish was a 2-guard, or Price is a 2-guard, or ‘Sap is a 3, or No Knees is a 2 (or a ballplayer, for that matter), or Hart is a 3rd-string PG, or Flop deserves to play, etc.
Not that it matters. Paying $3.75 million/year to a 3rd-string (4th-string?) SG/12th man (at best) would be totally insane.
Maybe the team can work out a sign & trade?
The Utah Jazz. The Jazz... duh.
The best NBA team in Utah... no doubts about it!
Playing For Pride. Pirates, Utes, Panthers, and more...
Because, in the end, only one team can "win it all".
by UtesFan89 on
Jul 19, 2008 1:22 PM MDT
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potential?
He’s been in the league for three years. It’s a lot more rare for a player to have a breakout year and really improve beyond their third or fourth yeah, I’d say (I have no proof to back that up). Potential has to get a look, but not when a player’s track record proves otherwise. Would you still have had faith in Darko’s potential after his third year? Or Kwame Brown? Or Michael Olowokandi? Those are dramatic, exaggerated examples, but still.
I hate all the talk of potential sometimes. The draft is the worst about it. I can’t believe how many teams take a flyer on someone with “raw talent” over a proven producer at the college level. Nine times out of ten, that’s a gamble that blows up in your face. When the Jazz have drafted their best, it has been when they select the player who has already proven he can produce as part of a team, and not just a guy with Tremendous Upside Potential.
I'll make it.
by Shums on
Jul 19, 2008 2:10 PM MDT
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CJ came out straight from high school
Kwame Brown has/had potential… but not first round pick potential. Too much pressure on him, he faltered.
CJ didn’t have that pressure… and also didn’t get that much time.
CJ’s, what… 22 now? If that.
Most of the guys giving something in the league start around this age.
Skipping college was his mistake.
Not understanding that it would take longer for him to develop was J-Slow’s (and KOC’s?).
CJ was a 2nd round pick… teams go “hit-or-miss” there even more, so it seems. It’s what the 2nd round is for… taking a flyer on a guy that may contribute.
They just have to realize that high schoolers tend to take longer to develop (if they’re ready from the get go, they don’t make it to the 2nd round).
Obviously, eventually potential has to turn into something, otherwise it’s just a wasted pick. I think the team gave up on DeShawn too early (he wasn’t going to be a star, but he’s a starter in the league now)... for the same thing. He didn’t develop to J-Slow’s liking in 2 years, and ended up in the doghouse till he was dealt a year or so later. He just needed some time (which he got in Orlando), and he’s turned out alright (especially for a mid-to-late 1st rounder). I think CJ is at the same point… he’s close and just needs to see action. A breakout year 3 to 4 years after a 4-year college career is rare, yes. A breakout 3 to 4 years after a jump from high school seems a lot more likely… he’s gotten to the age of the college senior that’s ready to enter the league.
I guess OKC will give him more time than we will… and provided that the money doesn’t get to his head, he’ll be a lot better for them than he was for us as a 12th man.
And the man’s a jump shooter. Your jump shot either falls or misses, with misses being a lot more likely on a jump shot than a lay-up dunk (thus Ronnie’s higher FG% and all). CJ just needs to get more confidence in his jumper… something that I’d imagine is harder if a couple misses in a row will send you to the bench for the next month.
The Utah Jazz. The Jazz... duh.
The best NBA team in Utah... no doubts about it!
Playing For Pride. Pirates, Utes, Panthers, and more...
Because, in the end, only one team can "win it all".
by UtesFan89 on
Jul 19, 2008 3:16 PM MDT
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Giving up on DeShawn
I think we gave up on DeShawn too early not because he didn’t have potential, but because his character didn’t fit in with an organization that prides itself on having “character guys”. You know LHM was having second thoughts after the draft night fist fight, and the alleged statutory rape. Look at his track record since the trade: a shooting at his home, the gang sign incident, the ridiculous Lebron/Jay Z feud, couple those with mediocre numbers (12.69 PER last season, 38th among SGs), and it’s hard to argue with the decision to move him.
by kris247 on
Jul 21, 2008 1:30 PM MDT
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