Clipperholics
Fansided

8 Players the LA Clippers gave up on too soon

By Zachary Bachar

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 06: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena on April 06, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 06: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena on April 06, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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Andre Miller #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers faces off against Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on March 20, 2011, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Andre Miller #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers faces off against Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on March 20, 2011, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

6: Andre Miller

After improving their record to 39-43 during the 2001-02 season, the ninth-seeded Clippers sought to make a move that would catapult them into the playoff picture. They decided to trade for 25-year-old point guard Andre Miller, who had just come off a season where he led the league with 10.9 assists per game.

The expectation was that adding an elite passer to the established young core would result in a postseason trip, but the move ultimately ended up being a failure.

Andre Miller couldn’t meet expectations with the Clippers

Miller averaged just 6.7 assists the following season despite playing 36.4 minutes per game. He averaged only 13.6 points and shot a mere 40.6% from the field, the lowest mark of his career. The Clippers went 27-55 that following year, taking a step backward.

Miller left in free agency the next summer, signing with the Denver Nuggets. While he never broke out as a star, he remained a solid starting point guard for a number of seasons before transitioning to a bench role.

When all was said and done, Miller played 17 seasons in the NBA and currently ranks 12th all-time in assists.

While it’s hard to fault the Clippers’ front office at the time for not wanting to re-sign a player who had massively underperformed expectations, it still stings to see him average 14.5 points and 7.2 assists on just over 47% shooting throughout the next four years of his career.