Mike Miller and LeBron James
© David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
After retirement, many NBA players still decide to remain in the industry by serving as coaches or consultants in different ranks. Mike Miller chose a road less traveled by becoming a player agent. While the profession has been saturated by individuals and organizations with deeper business backgrounds, Miller knows the competitive edge he brings to the table.
“Because I know what it looks like to play against or play beside LeBron James or play beside a Marc Gasol or a Pau Gasol, what a team really, really wants you to do,” Miller told The Athletic in a recent interview.
“My entire life was the game of basketball.”
The former Miami Heat sharpshooter seems to have a good understanding of the mechanics of being an agent. After all, he had studied enough to become an NBPA-certified agent and passed the union’s agent certification exam in 2021.
And as someone whose playing stint in the league spanned 17 seasons, he has a firsthand perspective of what NBA players are going through when negotiating with front offices and looking for the best possible courses of action for their careers.
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As Miller succinctly put it, “My entire life was the game of basketball.”
Notably, the University of Florida product’s experience in the league was quite extensive. After being drafted No. 5 by the Orlando Magic in the 2000 draft, he brought home the Rookie of the Year honors. Over the following years, he was traded a few times, won Sixth Man of the Year, became a free agent, earned two championship rings playing alongside James, and served as a mentor for two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
After hanging up his shoes in 2017, Miller tried his hand at coaching, becoming an assistant for Penny Hardaway at the University of Memphis. It seems he had some sort of Midas’ touch because he also excelled in that calling. He eventually became renowned as one of the nation’s top recruiters, which could also bode well for his burgeoning career as an agent.
“Let It Fly”
His possible lack of acumen in the business side of being a sports agent has not deterred him from finding success early on in his new field. It appears he has a well-rounded team with him. The agency he co-founded is called LIFT, which means “Let It Fly Team.” The name is a nod to Miller’s mantra, which helped him become a 40.7% career 3-point shooter.
It also probably serves as a perfect symbolism for Miller’s and the company’s determination to make a mark in the industry despite being just a few years old. But they’re off to a good start because they currently represent 2022 top draft pick Paolo Banchero among dozens of athletes playing in the NBA, other professional leagues, and college.
Perhaps Miller can blaze a trail for other retired NBA players who also want to achieve success in the athlete representation game. Others might have also done it before, but it seems the South Dakota native is the first of his stature to thrive at it.
A couple of noteworthy players who have also dipped their toes into becoming agents are Tracy McGrady and Jermaine O’Neal, who recently launched Seven1 Sports & Entertainment Group, the name of which is based on the stars’ jersey numbers.
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