(SB Nation Denver, Steve von Horn) The Denver Nuggets and general manager Masai Ujiri are certainly focused on what to do with the No. 20 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, but don't think that the free agency status of veteran point guard Andre Miller isn't also on the organization's mind.
Back in January, Miller pushed back against his role as a reserve guard, saying: "I don't see myself as a backup…This is a short season, so I'll deal with it. But I don't see myself as a backup at this point in my career. I don't see that." Since then George Karl and the Nuggets have tried to express their desire to re-sign the 12-year NBA veteran, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Ty Lawson is definitely at the center of the team's proverbial "core" going forward, and the Nuggets even worked out point guard prospects Marquis Teague and Tyshawn Taylor on Monday, but Miller has already been in contact with Ujiri. In fact, the Nuggets GM told Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post that there have been positive discussions:
Nuggets executive Masai Ujiri has said that he and Miller, a 36-year-old free agent, have had positive discussions about Miller returning to Denver. Miller is one of coach George Karl's favorite players. If he returns to the Nuggets, Miller will continue to play big minutes off the bench. If he comes back, the Nuggets' potential first-round pick could learn from one of the NBA's great passers. If Miller doesn't return, the potential pick could learn on the job.
The realistic status of the talks between the Nuggets and Miller could be revealed on draft day, as it's hard to see him returning to the team if they draft a rookie PG, especially after his comments back in January.
