Pacers, Miller Reportedly Agree on $36-Million Deal

Star guard Reggie Miller is near a deal that would keep him with the Indiana Pacers for the rest of his career.

“It won’t happen today but I think we’re close,” Pacer President Donnie Walsh said Tuesday. “We’re just not finished yet.”

ESPN and The Indianapolis Star said Miller had agreed to a three-year, $36-million deal with Indiana. Walsh would not confirm the terms.

Miller’s agent, Arn Tellem, could not be reached for comment.

Miller, who will turn 35 this month, earned more than $9 million last year when he averaged 18.1 points, his lowest since 1988-89.

He averaged 20.2 points in the playoffs as the Pacers reached the NBA finals for the first time, losing to the Lakers.

“I thought his playoff performance was as good as he’s had, and that showed me that he’s still at a very, very competitive level,” Walsh said. “So if there was any thought that he’s an older player, he certainly didn’t show it in the playoffs.”

Miller would become the fourth of the Pacers’ six free agents to re-sign since last week. Only guard Mark Jackson, expected to re-sign, and center Rik Smits, considering retirement, have not signed.

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NBC announced that Kevin Johnson will take Isiah Thomas’ place on its “NBA Showtime” pregame show, meaning Johnson’s playing career has ended.

Johnson, 34, came out of retirement in March when the Phoenix Suns needed his help after Jason Kidd was injured. He had been retired for a year and a half.

After the Suns were eliminated from the playoffs, he was a guest analyst for NBC on two playoff games.

Thomas left to coach the Pacers.

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Center John Amaechi, who spurned a six-year, $17-million deal with the Lakers, signed a one-year, $600,000 contract to remain with the Orlando Magic.

Amaechi, 29, averaged 10.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists last season.

Since the free-agent signing period began Aug. 1, the Magic has added free-agents Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady as well as re-signing forwards Monty Williams and Bo Outlaw.

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Point guard Jacque Vaughn, 25, re-signed with Utah, raising questions about the future of the team’s other free-agent point guard, Howard Eisley, whose talks with the team have stalled.

Jazz owner Larry Miller said last month that signing Eisley was Utah’s top priority and it appeared Vaughn wouldn’t be back.

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Minnesota re-signed forward Joe Smith, 25, and reached agreement with free-agent guard Chauncey Billups, 23. Terms were not disclosed. . . . Actor Denzel Washington could join the National Basketball Players Assn. in its bid to buy the Continental Basketball Assn., Bloomberg News reported. Washington could not be reached for comment. . . . Keith Smart, whose winning basket gave Indiana the 1987 NCAA title, was hired by the Cleveland Cavaliers as an assistant coach and director of player development. Smart, 35, had been coach of the CBA’s Fort Wayne Fury. . . . The Vancouver Grizzlies signed free agent guard Damon Jones. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.