The full rebuilding starts now for some teams. Others have had a headstart, but they would all end up on the same place: The NBA draft lottery. The Denver Nuggets try to make up for lost time and trade their locker room leader, Andre Miller.

The Denver Post has reported a locker room incident involving the team’s senior voice and new head coach Brian Shaw. Miller, apparently, is very loyal to George Karl, former coach of the year who was fired by Denver. The status report:

“Andre Miller, who was excused from all team activities for four days, won't be part of the Nuggets for long after he returns.
The Nuggets are actively trying to trade Miller, according to a league source. If accomplished, it would be the second time Denver traded him. He was traded in 2006 in a package that brought Allen Iverson to the Nuggets.”

Andre Miller has a cap friendly contract at $ 5million this year and a non-guaranteed $ 4million next year. As a back-up point guard and a possible mentor, teams like the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings are interested. However, what are they willing to give up for Miller?

Sacramento’s GM was a former Nuggets front office deputy when it was still being run by Masai Ujiri, hence his interest in Miller. Most of the Kings’ trade assets were shipped to Toronto in the Rudy Gay trade. Giving up Jimmer Freddette or a draft pick is out of the question (although the Nuggets have the Knicks draft pick next year which could probably end up in the lottery).

The Warriors have already mentioned that they are not making a play for Miller. The hesitations stem from Miller’s supposed demand for playing time. The Warriors are on a roll, and they do not want anything to disrupt their team chemistry at this point. Golden State is not yet a lock for the playoffs (no one is in the cutthroat West). They want to get there before they take the next step.

It is highly probable that Miller has played his last for Denver. Will they keep him in the freezer until the right offer? As a seasoned veteran, Miller’s value will increase come playoff time. Other teams will not offer much for him at this point.

Keep in mind that Andre Miller doesn’t want to be anybody’s backup, but if SAC could convince him to embrace a mentor role for IT - Huge.

— Aaron Bruski (@aaronbruski) January 6, 2014