FanNation

So, as some previous blogs of mine have suggested, the Blazers are in a fine financial situation at the moment.  A large reason for this is that an independent doctor ruled that Darius Miles has substained an injury that makes him physically unfir to play, which takes about 9 million off the books for each of the next two years.  However, in such situations there is a stipulation that if the player can play in ten games in either of the enxt two years, then said player's salary comes back on the books for his original team.

Thus, if Miles plays in ten games in either 2008-09 or 2009-10, then his total $18 million comes back to the Blazers and cramps them up significantly in the pocketbook.

I thought this was just an afterthought, because Miles hadn't played a game in two years and was deemed unfit to play.  On top of that, it was recently revealed he failed a FOURTH drug test, which induces a mandatory ten game suspension should he return to active duty.  I figured these to factors would make his basically untouchable to GMs around the league.  It seems I was wrong.

Boston recently worked him out and said he looked very good, and Phoenix has a workout lined up for him as well.  This puts me in a state of mixed emotion.  See, if he actually is able to make a full recovery and a team signs him, it's all but a guarantee that his money will be back on the books in Portland.  I also am not a fan of Miles because he was a featured character of the Jail Blazer era, so he invokes some bad memories.

However, I can't honestly say I don't want him to make an active roster.  I mean, Portland has Paul Allen as an owner, so it's not like they wouldn't be able to resign any player they wanted, it just would mean getting additional free agents would be near impossible.  Also,  despite the fact that Miles gets paid whether he plays or not, he is trying to play.  This shows me he loves the game and wants to redeem himself.  Who am i to judge that?

I suppose in a perfect world Miles would be able to redeem himself and continue his NBA career, and his salary comes off Portland's books in two seasons anyway.  So I say good luck Darius.  I hope you can turn your career, and your life, around.