NBA Trade Rumors: Andre Miller's Unhappiness in Denver Will Lead to Move

When you've been a starter for 12 seasons, it's hard to stay happy when a young player comes in and sweeps the rug from under your feet.

That's what's happening with Denver Nuggets' point guard Andre Miller right now. Miller has seen young Ty Lawson emerge as the starter for head coach George Karl.

Said Miller, via FoxSports.com:

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At this point in my career, I don't see myself as a backup. For 13 years, I wasn't a backup before. This is a short season (due to the lockout), 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.

"

Miller is a free agent after this season, which means he's in a prime spot to be dealt before the trade deadline on March 15. If he showed interest in remaining the backup in Denver, he would probably be kept around until free agency, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

Asked if he could see himself re-signing with the Nuggets, Miller said:

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Probably not. It depends on the situation. It's just something that you have to get used to. I don't want to get used to it. But if the situation says that I have to stay here for a couple of years, cool. But that's just something that I'd have to worry about later on.

"

Miller certainly isn't trying to be a disruption, but he knows as well as anybody that Lawson is the man in Denver.

Frankly, Lawson has played better than Miller this season, and it's no wonder the Nuggets are going a different direction. The former first-round pick has averaged 16.4 points, 6.0 assists and 1.9 steals while shooting 49 percent from the floor.

Miller still gets people involved, but his offense has taken a turn for the worse: He shoots just 41 percent for the season.

Miller won't be the biggest name to move from Denver in the past two seasons, but he's still a veteran presence that could draw more than a few suitors at the deadline.