Leonard Miller Scouting Report: NBA Comparison, Draft Ranking, Highlights, Stats
Contents
Leonard Miller nearly entered the 2022 NBA Draft before deciding to hone his skills playing for the G League Ignite. The move paid off as he’s now a sure-fire first round selection. Check out below for a Leonard Miller scouting report, NBA comparison, stats, highlights, draft ranking, and team fits. Other scouting reports can quickly be found on the Lineups 2023 Big Board or Final Mock Draft as well.
Leonard Miller Scouting Report
Miller nearly led the Ignite in scoring at 18 PPG on a 55/32/79 shooting split. He also added 11 RPG, 1.6 APG, and 1.7 stocks (steals + blocks). During his final G League game on March 16th, Miller produced 29 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks on 12/20 shooting. He’s one of the more intriguing prospects in the 2023 NBA Draft based on his unusual traits and perceived upside.
Draft Age: 19.6
Height: 6’11”
Wingspan: 7’2”
Position: F
Team: G League Ignite
Strengths: Miller is a rare prospect as he’s a 6’11” highly-mobile forward that can handle the ball. He’s an efficient downhill paint scorer because he effectively leverages his quickness, length, flexibility, and ability to penetrate off the dribble. Miller can easily go coast to coast, which frequently happened due to his dominant rebounding. In addition, he made timely cuts and should be an off-ball weapon in this department. Overall, Miller’s offensive role versatility is tantalizing.
On defense, his ceiling is immense. He owns the length and strength to smother bigger forwards, but he has the foot speed and anticipation to mirror guards. His 7’2” wingspan and quick hips allow him to recover when beaten too. This may be a stretch to some, but I predict Miller will make an All-Defensive team in his career.
Finally, Miller hustles harder than any player on the court, which is reflected in his rebounding and defense. High motor prospects tend to carve out a place in the NBA even if they are not the most skilled.
Weaknesses: Miller’s three-point shot doesn’t inspire confidence. He had a 32.7 3PT% on 2.2 3PA this season, and the form isn’t ideal. He doesn’t square his shoulders, his base is too narrow, and his release time is sluggish. However, it’s definitely not a lost cause, and an NBA coaching staff should be able to transform him into an average spot up three-point shooter.
Although he can handle the ball, his playmaking ceiling is limited. He’s not an advanced passer that can manipulate a defense and be a secondary playmaker. That’s not a huge deal given his position, but it blocks him from All-NBA potential to me.
Leonard Miller Stats
| 2022-23 | Games | PPG | APG | RPG | SPG | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonard Miller | 24 | 18 | 1.6 | 11 | 0.9 | 55.6 | 32.7 | 79.2 |
Leonard Miller NBA Comparison
I hate doing this, but I can’t help it…Miller reminds me of a young Giannis Antetokounmpo in certain areas. The length, the mobility, the ball handling, the interior scoring, the defense, the effort – it’s very similar to Giannis when he entered the draft. Now, Giannis was a vastly superior playmaker and had far more advanced off the dribble moves, so Miller doesn’t compare to Giannis as an overall prospect. Again, I’m not saying Miller can potentially achieve the same trajectory as Giannis, but he does share certain enticing skills.
For a realistic upside comparison, Ousmane Dieng overlaps well with Miller. Both are huge forwards with intriguing all-around offensive potential, sturdy defense, but no true elite skill. Shooting concerns also infiltrate both players as well.
Leonard Miller Highlights
Leonard Miller NBA Draft Ranking, Team Fit, Landing Spot
Draft Ranking: Miller ranks 13th on my Big Board and sits in the fifth tier with names like Gradey Dick, Kobe Bufkin, and Bilal Coulibaly.
Team Fit: The rebuilding Utah Jazz at 16th overall are the best fit for Leonard Miller. He would get ample playing time and could start at forward next to Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler. Miller and Kessler form a devastating defensive duo, and Utah’s lack of elite guards means Miller could experiment on-ball more often to expand his game.
Landing Spot: Miller’s range is volatile; it’s reasonable that he could end up anywhere between 13-24. He fits Toronto’s (13th) mold, and they may tear the roster down to build around Scottie Barnes this summer. If that’s the case, then Barnes and Miller would create a versatile foundation. Atlanta (15th) desperately needs to upgrade their forward room, and Houston (20th) is still swinging for the fences on prospects. Oklahoma City is a popular mock draft destination for Miller, but their roster crunch and desire to make the playoffs wouldn’t allow Miller the needed playing time. Ousmane Dieng essentially has Miller’s spot, and their bench frontcourt minutes are cemented.
