Heat waive Miller in amnesty move

Mike Miller was a luxury the Heat decided they could no longer afford.

Miller was designated yesterday as the team’s amnesty player, a move that may save the Heat more than $30 million in luxury tax payments over the next two years.

With the team’s tax bill set to be bigger than ever — depending on what the final payroll numbers are, the Heat could pay as much as $2.50 per $1 they are over the salarycap threshold for this coming season under the league’s new and more punitive rules — the team ultimately made the call to part with Miller, who would have made $6.2 million this season, and $6.6 million next season. He still gets that money, but his salary will not count against Miami’s cap.

PISTONS: Chauncey Billups is back, and he’s eager to be more than just a mentor.

Detroit brought Billups back on a twoyear deal for $2.5 million each year. The fivetime AllStar turns 37 in September.

Billups tore his left Achilles tendon during the 201112 season, when he was limited to 20 games with the Clippers, and he played 22 games for them last season.

BUCKS: Milwaukee waived forward Drew Gooden and designated him as their amnesty player.

Gooden had two years and about $13.4 million remaining on his contact. He still receives the money, but it doesn’t count for salary cap purposes.

MAVERICKS: Rookie guard Shane Larkin has undergone surgery to repair his broken right ankle. Recovery time is expected to be about three months.