On October 9, 1981, Darius LaVar Miles, a former American professional basketball player, was born.
Just out of high school, the 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m), 235 lb (107 kg), forward was taken by the Los Angeles Clippers as the third overall choice in the 2000 NBA draft. In 2001, he became the first player from the prep to pro ranks to be named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Miles’ playing career nearly came to an end when he was released by the Portland Trail Blazers in April 2008 after spending two years off the field rehabbing from microfracture surgery on his right knee. When he returned to the 2008–09 season, the Memphis Grizzlies became his new team.
Why did Darius Miles retire?
NBA rules provide that if a player later participates in at least ten games the following season, salary cap relief for a career-ending injury is canceled, and the money is added back to the team’s salary cap maximum. Not much was known about the circumstances of his retirement.
In order to harm the salary cap and tax positions of the other 29 NBA teams, the Portland Trail Blazers threatened to file lawsuits against them on January 8, 2009.
Miles had previously played two preseason games with the Grizzlies and six preseason games with the Celtics before being dismissed from his non-guaranteed contract. In retaliation, the NBA Players Association threatened to file a grievance against the Trail Blazers.
What teams did Darius Miles play for?
Darius Miles played for these teams and their specific period of time:
| Career history | |
|---|---|
| 2000–2002 | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 2002–2004 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2004–2008 | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 2008–2009 | Memphis Grizzlies |
