Miller Plays Hardball

Free agent Reggie Miller said in Indianapolis he might be willing to sit out the 1996-97 season if the Indiana Pacers don’t offer him enough money.

In an interview on ESPN’s Up Close with Chris Myers to be aired today, Miller said his price is $10 million and that the Pacers have yet to come up with a satisfactory offer.

“As it stands now, I’ll probably miss training camp the way negotiations are going,” Miller said.

“It would be unfortunate to sit out,” Miller said. “I don’t think anyone wants to sit out. If that’s going to be my only option, I would probably have to.”

Pacers president Donnie Walsh told The Associated Press he thought negotiations had been going well.

Free agent Dan Majerle had no problem with math: $8 million is greater than $247,500, and that’s why his wife was looking for a house in Miami.

“The money was right, and I think the timing was right for me to get out of Phoenix,” the 6-foot-6 guard said at a news conference to announce what was already common knowledge - he was signing with the Miami Heat.

The right money was the $8 million over three years that is reported to be his contract. The Suns could only pay the minimum $247,500 under the salary cap.