We all know the signing of Darius Miles carries very little risk with the potential of a huge reward. But if the following is true, the Portland Trail Blazers management has 18 million reasons to hope he fails:
The signing has little monetary risk for the Celtics, given that Miles is already assured of making $18 million over the next two seasons from his guaranteed contract with Portland. According to reports, if Miles plays 10 games for the C’s, the remaining $18 million of his six-year, $48 million salary goes back on Trail Blazers’ books.
Miles gets his money whether he plays or not. But because his injury was deemed career-ending by an independent medical examiner, the Blazers got a special cap waver. Now I'm sure Danny and Doc have watched this guy work out many times, but Danny wouldn't say Miles is completely healthy:
Asked if Miles is completely healthy, Ainge replied, "Time will tell. He'll have the next two months to get ready. He'll work out with our guys and we'll see. He's played real well."
To all those optimists out there (yes, I'm talking about you Danno) here's something to keep in mind regarding Miles: No player has made it back to the NBA after receiving that "career-ending injury" designation.
And one other thing about Miles character, courtesy of Blazers broadcaster Mike Barrett:
Does he do the right thing always? Obviously not. Is he a guy who I am glad that is gone from this group of players? Probably. Just because of his off-the-court habits. His recreational habits of what he likes to do. I would prefer our young guys weren't around somebody like that.
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