Miller opts for reunion with James

Mike Miller had choices. None of them was better than playing with LeBron James again.

Miller has agreed to a $5.5 million, two-year contract with the Cavaliers, reuniting the sharpshooting forward with James, his former teammate in Miami. Miller's contract includes a player option in the second year, a person familiar with the negotiations said.

The person spoke on Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the deal is not yet signed. Miller will make $2.7 million next season, and the option is worth $2.8 million, the person said.

The 34-year-old Miller also was coveted by Dallas and Denver. But the chance to play alongside James was enough to send him to Cleveland. Miller and James played together with the Heat for three seasons, winning two NBA titles. Miller reportedly had a three-year offer from the Mavericks.

Last season, Miller played in 82 games - the most since his rookie season-for Memphis. He shot 46 percent (107 of 233) on 3-pointers and averaged 7.1 points and 2.5 rebounds.

After agreeing to the deal, Miller posted a message on his Instagram account, thanking Grizzlies fans and acknowledging James.

"Thanks to Memphis for a great year!!" Miller wrote. "But I'm so excited to be a part of the Cleveland family and their fans. The only thing you can expect from me is everything I have! So excited to reunite with u my brother! I know I don't even need to tell you this but I will 'Let It Fly'."

Ariza to Houston

Miller gives the Cavs another outside offensive option and someone to help spread the floor for James, who signed a two-year, $42 million contract with Cleveland on Saturday.

Although Miller was slowed by injuries during his tenure with Miami, the Heat could always count on him to knock down big shots and James never lost confidence in him.

Miller has made 41 percent of his 3-point attempts during an NBA career that began with Orlando in 2000.

Houston's attempts at landing a third offensive threat this NBA offseason finally paid off in the return of forward Trevor Ariza.

The Rockets acquired Ariza as part of a three-team trade that was announced by Washington on Tuesday, bringing the 6-foot-8 forward back to where he averaged a career-high 14.9 points during the 2009-10 season.

Ariza will join Houston in a sign-and-trade deal also involving New Orleans.

The Rockets will send center Omer Asik, forward Omri Casspi and cash considerations to New Orleans, while Houston will also get forward Alonzo Gee, guard Scotty Hopson and a 2015 first-round draft pick from the Pelicans.

Washington will receive center Melvin Ely and a trade exception as part of the deal.

The 29-year-old Ariza spent the past two seasons with the Wizards, averaging 14.4 points and hitting 40.7 percent of his 3-point shots last season.

He is a welcome consolation prize after a busy offseason for Houston, which briefly courted LeBron James and hosted Carmelo Anthony before making a four-year max offer to Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh - all with the hopes of adding another offensive force to play with James Harden and Dwight Howard.

Ariza began his career out of UCLA in New York and has also played for Orlando, the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans. He spent one season with the Rockets in 2009-10.

Asik signed with Houston two years ago after two seasons in Chicago. The 7-foot center averaged a career-high 10.1 points in his first season before injuries and the arrival of Howard limited his production to 5.8 points and only 48 games last season.

To help with the departure of Ariza, Washington agreed to a two-year deal with Paul Pierce over the weekend.

(China Daily 07/17/2014 page24)