Most teams struggle to find the perfect balance between having optimal depth but also not taking away developmental minutes for players. Giving young players the time and opportunity to succeed can be justified when it comes to finding cheaper contributors using the draft. However, some teams do not have the option to develop players in the regular season. Anyone trying to win now can’t have rotational guys playing through the mistakes and growing pains.
The Golden State Warriors had to deal with this when James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody took longer than expected to develop. The Warriors aren’t the perfect example because they still found a way to bring home a championship a year ago. But the lingering issue of how to develop players on a contending team has continued to be a key component in what the present and future hold for Golden State.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have created a similar issue because they have a plethora of frontcourt talent. They have three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA big Karl-Anthony Towns, three-time DPOY Rudy Gobert, and the electric and versatile Naz Reid. Now the tantalizing Leonard Miller the new kid on the block.
The KAT-Rudy duo has not had much of a sample size thus far to truly make a read on their circumstances. However, with the new CBA in place, Anthony Edwards‘s rookie-scale max extension kicking in next season, and Jaden McDaniels still to pay, it looks unlikely that this duo and their massive contracts will stick around much longer past this season. Reid could easily have fallen into a situation where he got more minutes. But he felt comfortable in Minnesota, a place where he had enough growth to stick around for at least two more seasons.
Fortunately, there is a lot of versatility in Naz’s game that you can sneak minutes in for him to continue to make an impact. However, there’s a finite number of rotational minutes. It gets tricky with the forwards and how Miller fits in.
The Wolves still have plenty of options. In the offseason, they brought in Troy Brown Jr. on a two-year, $8 million deal, with the second year non-guaranteed. Josh Minott is only in his second season of the fou-year rookie-scale extension he signed. He had some impressive flashes in Summer League.
Kyle Anderson is still under contract for another season and was one of Minnesota’s most vital players because he connected the gap between the guards and the bigs. SloMo’s services could still hold a lot of value to the Wolves’ front office, making him potentially a target as an unrestricted free agent next season.
All of these players are roadblocks on Miller’s pathway to playing time. While he still needs some work on specific traits to clean up his game, he has the talent to contribute as a part of the rotation.
Stints with the Iowa Wolves could be vital for Leonard, allowing him to figure out what his optimal NBA role will be. In Summer League, he was fresh off being a top option on the team and getting plenty of opportunities to score. With G-League Ignite, he averaged the second-most points and shot attempts a game behind Scoot Henderson. Miller has already proven that he can perform at this level, so we know he can put up stats. However, he can still benefit from consistent playing time and working on his skills.
He needs to figure out his jump shot. Miller has a fluid release motion, but his legs often kick out wide on above-the-break threes.
Miller was a point guard at the beginning of his high school career before a growth spurt, so he has some fun tools to work with as a ball handler. But the physicality of the NBA and crafty play from defenders will force him to take shots that will not be favorable. Teams will send plenty of pressure his way with others poking the ball free.
That’s something we saw flashes of in Summer League when Miller tried to make moves toward the basket. He is a promising finisher around the rim, but he must find consistent ways to get there off the dribble, attacking closeouts while keeping his body in control.
Miller can work on his weaknesses while he’s still low on the depth chart, but the Wolves may have to call him into action if they suffer injuries. We saw Jaden McDaniels in a similar situation during his rookie season. He didn’t get playing time until Minnesota randomly made him the first sub off the bench in the 13th game of the season due to injuries. From there on, he had a rotational role for the rest of the season.
Leonard isn’t in a perfect situation this season. However, he can have a role heading into next season if he proves himself because the Wolves are bound to do some roster reconstruction. Still, don’t count him out on making an impact on various stints throughout the season when they call his name.
