The 2023 draft looked like it was going to be pretty uneventful for the Minnesota Timberwolves. They had already sent their first-round pick to the Utah Jazz in the Rudy Gobert trade, leaving them with only a second-round pick (No. 53) as their only asset. However, when potential lottery pick Leonard Miller began to fall, the Wolves decided it was worth parting with two future second-round selections to get their guy.
Miller took an unconventional route to Minnesota. He picked up basketball later than usual and bounced between four high schools. Miller was a late bloomer, but he had a massive growth spurt, growing seven inches. Between his added height and lack of consistent play at many top high schools, Miller had all the makings of a sleeper prospect. He found some consistency after a year at a college prep school and garnered offers from Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, and Alabama.
However, Miller was at another crossroads with the increased attention because he was old enough to be draft-eligible. He declared for the 2022 draft only to back out because his game lacked polish. Instead, he chose to play with the G-League’s developmental program for the 2022-23 season, Ignite.
Miller began his upward trajectory at Ignite, showing early improvements with more competition and putting together an impressive campaign. In 38 games, he averaged 19.6 points per game, second on the team to Scoot Henderson, who the Portland Trail Blazers took third overall last year. Miller would also lead the team with 10.1 rebounds per game and add 1.6 assists per game. He continued to be an efficient scorer, shooting 53.7% from the field on 12.4 attempts per game and 30.4% from three on 2.4 attempts per game.
He put together a strong statistical season and only got better as the season progressed, which was why it was surprising when Miller fell out of the first round last year. However, he likely fell because of his lack of competitive reps at a high level, development uncertainty, and his unconventional style of play. Some of it still carries over today, and it’s why Miller has mostly been with the Iowa Wolves this season.
Miller is already showing many improvements in the swing areas of his game, specifically his three-point shooting. Not only has his volume increased this season, but so has his efficiency.
Miller has increased his above-the-break 3P shooting by 5.4% and his overall three-point shooting by 6.1%. That indicates that his game will eventually translate to the NBA, creating a better path to playing a forward position. While he has 27 corner threes in 64 G-League games, that’s likely because of Miller’s role with the Iowa Wolves.
He often starts possessions at the top of the arc, or Iowa uses him as a screener because of the 5-out offense the Iowa runs. Iowa tries to spread the defense out and plays through a perimeter-centric system. Iowa has a guard and wing-heavy roster and is trying to play to its strengths. Nevertheless, Miller has done an excellent job of adjusting and doing his best to match this style of play.
Iowa’s offensive concepts put Miller in a unique scenario, forcing him to rely on his playmaking, passing, and on-ball capabilities. He has an unorthodox style of play on the ball. His limbs fly everywhere, and the body control is a bit chaotic, but he uses it to his advantage by being deceptive — a bit like Naz Reid.
Furthermore, the offense and fast-paced style of basketball in the G-League play to his strengths. It allows him to have open lanes for drives and many opportunities in transition, where he excels the most.
Iowa’s roster and system are not perfect, though, and it presents downsides for Miller. He has played a lot at the 5 this season, and his defensive flaws tend to creep in.
While Miller stands 6’10” and has a 7’2” wingspan, it will take time to unlock the best way to use his body and unique ball skills at his size. Therefore, it’s difficult to determine which position he should play. Miller is not strong enough or a good enough interior defender to play the 5, making his G-League reps vital to his development.
Miller’s ball screen coverage is lackluster. He doesn’t protect the rim very well because he doesn’t project as much of a shot-blocker. And he cannot slide around much either because the roster doesn’t have many bigs. Therefore, instead of being able to hide in the corner as the low help man or any other more favorable positions, he finds himself in the middle of the opponent’s actions.
Defense was a concern for Miller coming into the draft and still is, but it’s not an uncommon growth spot for young prospects. Miller has a massive frame, which works in his favor. Like with his offense, though, his body control and footwork can occasionally be erratic. But it doesn’t help him defensively like it does on offense. It’s a spot for him to improve as he gets more comfortable, especially when he’s playing at the level of the screen.
It will take a bit more buy-in because Miller’s effort could be better. His defense is not a pressing issue, but he must improve in the next couple of seasons to take the leap and become a regular with the Wolves.
Overall, Miller will need more reps to crack Minnesota’s rotation. But Miller’s minutes in Iowa and the improvements he has already made to one of his biggest swing skills, three-point shooting, bodes well for his future. Miller will have another off-season of work and likely a trip back to Vegas for Summer League, where he impressed last year, giving Miller more time to develop in addition to his G-League minutes this year. If he continues to improve, Miller will be another fun player to add to the rotation in the near future.
