Timberwolves guard Mike Miller shrugged off a report from a New Jersey newspaper that the Nets might be interested in acquiring him before the Feb. 19 trading deadline.
Citing an unidentified NBA general manager, the Newark Star-Ledger reported that the team has expressed an interest in the slumping shooting guard but that Minnesota is looking for a young player and a draft choice, "which the Nets are not willing to consider." Miller's reaction?
"It's always something around this time," said Miller, who was acquired from Memphis in a draft-day trade last June. "I've played in the league nine years, now and all nine years there's been something around the trading deadline. You just go out there and you play. Continue to work on the things you can control and go from there."
This has been a tough season for Miller, who has suffered two sprained right ankles and struggled with his shooting.
Even so, he said he doesn't want to go anywhere.
"This is where I want to be," he said. "It's a work in progress, and we're getting there. The best thing is to be a part of something like this because we're playing well now."
Miller has come off the bench in the nine games since returning from his second sprained ankle, but McHale said the former starter remains an important member of the team.
"Mike's going to be fine," McHale said. "A couple ankle sprains set Mike back a little bit, but his rebounding, his moving the ball, all the things he brings to our team, he's a very unique player. You know, when that shot starts going, which it will, that will just add a whole other level to our team."
Briefly: Tonight's game is the first of the season between the Wolves and Hornets, who went 3-1 against Minnesota last season and won the last two 110-76 and 122-90.
The Wolves' first-ever draft pick, Pooh Richardson, will attend tonight's game, and the first 5,000 fans will receive a commemorative print.
