Denver Nuggets final report card: Mike Miller

Over the next few weeks, the BSN Nuggets staff will review the Nuggets season, player-by-player. We’ll look at their performance from 2015-16 and forecast what type of impact they’ll make next season.

Reflecting on 2015-16

Mike Miller spent his 30’s as a role player on title-contending teams.

He expertly played the role of 3-point marksman off the bench as a member of LeBron James’ traveling band of sidekicks in Cleveland and Miami, and at 35 years of age at the start of last season, entered into a one-year contract with Denver in a decidedly different role.

The Nuggets are in the midst of a rebuild with an emphasis on developing their young players. It was a situation that Miller came into where he knew he wasn’t going to play much, but had the chance to be a mentor and another veteran presence in a young locker room.

Ever a great teammate, Miller did his part in the team development cycle.

He lent his shooting expertise to Emmanuel Mudiay and was leaned on by coach Michael Malone for his experience as veterans Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari went down with season-ending injuries. Miller was even used as the designated inbounder late in games.

Miller attempted just 62 shots in 47 games, mostly on catch-and-shoot looks. Of his 22 made field goals this season, 19 were threes and the veteran reached nine points in a game twice this season.

His impact on the court was minimal, but the presence of a 16-year veteran fresh off an NBA Finals appearance was invaluable for this group of young Nuggets.

Final Report Card Grade: A-

Looking Ahead to 2016-17

Miller is an unrestricted free agent this summer and given Denver’s bevy of both returning players and draft picks, it’s up in the air whether there will be a spot for him on the 2016-17 roster. Miller has indicated that he wants to keep playing and could decide to latch back on with a contender to finish out his career.

Miller is a great chemistry and locker room guy, someone who the players and coaches respect, and is invaluable as a teacher and mentor for younger players entering the league. If Denver has an open roster spot, the Nuggets would love to have him back.