The Washington Wizards, pushing for their first playoff berth since 2008, acquired disgruntled point guard Andre Miller from the Denver Nuggets on Thursday in a three-way trade that also involves the Philadelphia 76ers. The Wizards gave up two seldom-used players — forward Jan Vesely and point guard Eric Maynor. Vesely goes to the Nuggets, while Maynor gets shipped to the 76ers. Philadelphia receives two second-round draft picks, one from the Wizards in 2015 and one from the Nuggets in 2016. Washington receives a protected 2014 second-round pick from the 76ers. Miller hasnt played since his shouting match with coach Brian Shaw in the waning minutes of a loss to the 76ers on New Years Day. The Nuggets initially suspended Miller for two games, then rescinded the suspension and announced that he would instead be excused from all team activities for personal reasons. "Obviously we did our homework," Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said. "I think that was an isolated situation, an isolation incident. Were going to move past that." Miller, who turns 38 next month, has played with five teams over 15 NBA seasons. He averaged 5.9 points and 3.3 assists for the Nuggets this season. The Wizards are under pressure from owner Ted Leonsis to end their playoff drought, with both team president Ernie Grunfeld and coach Randy Wittman in the final year of their contracts. Washington is currently fifth in the watered-down Eastern Conference, but the team has lost five of seven to fall two games under .500. "Our goal was all along to make the playoffs," Grunfeld said. "Weve put ourselves in a position where were right there." The Wizards will be counting on Miller to add depth to a rotation that has been shrinking during the season, with Wittman asking more from All-Star John Wall and other starters while relying less on the bench. Maynor, acquired last summer to be Walls backup, has disappeared almost entirely, having played just seven minutes in the last 27 games. Vesely has been a major disappointment since being selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2011 draft. He has played in 33 games this season, and only five of the last 14, while averaging 3.2 points. Grunfeld said Vesely didnt develop quickly enough into the player the Wizards were expecting. "He wasnt consistent enough for us," Grunfeld said. Josh Smith Hawks Jersey . The Raptors have been outscored 88-66 in the opening quarter over a three-game span to begin the month of February. Their most recent loss, 109-101 in Sacramento on Wednesday, was eerily similar to Saturdays defeat at the hands of the Trail Blazers. Tracy Mcgrady Hawks Jersey . RAPTORS STRUGGLING: The bottom line is the true test in sports isnt just how you handle failure, but how you handle success. https://www.thehawkslockerroom.com/Mike-...ion-Jersey/.com) - The Hatch Attack is back in the Southern Conference. Jeremy Lin Jersey .com) - The University of Montana named Bob Stitt as its new head football coach on Tuesday. Spud Webb Hawks Jersey . -- The road to the Masters got off to a bumpy start Sunday for Tiger Woods when he withdrew from the Honda Classic with what he said was a lower back injury.TAMPA, Fla. -- New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter has resumed on-field work for the first time since his 2013 season was cut short. The Yankees captain hit off a tee in a batting cage and fielded 108 grounders on the grass in front of the infield dirt Monday at the Yankees minor league complex. Jeter, who turns 40 in June, was limited to 17 games last year after breaking an ankle during the 2012 playoffs. "I dont think about it, and thats a good thing," Jeter said. Jeter broke his left ankle Oct. 13, 2012 during the AL championship series opener against Detroit. He was limited to five games and 11 at-bats during spring training last year, stayed behind in Florida when the team broke camp for rehabilitation and broke the ankle again in April during rehabilitation. "Its good to have a normal off-season and get some work inn," Jeter said.dddddddddddd "Everything is normal now." Jeter missed the first 91 games of the 2013 season, then felt pain his right quadriceps when he returned July 11. He went back on the DL, returned July 28 for three games, then strained his right calf. Back in the lineup on Aug. 26, he played through Sept. 7, when he left for a pinch runner after singling against Boston. While scans of the left ankle were negative, the Yankees said four days later his season was over. Jeter wound up hitting .190 (12 for 63) with one homer and seven RBIs, playing 13 games at shortstop and four at designated hitter. Jeter normally begins baseball activities in mid-Janaury in preparation for spring training. Yankees pitchers, catcher and injured players start workouts Feb. 15, with the rest of the team beginning five days later. ' ' '