After attending the NBA Draft Combine in 2022, then withdrawing to join the G League Ignite, Leonard Miller remains one of the youngest players in the 2023 Draft at 19 years old until around Thanksgiving. On the year with the Ignite, Miller averaged 15.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1 SPG, 0.8 BPG, and 1.8 TOPG on splits of 53/30/80. Below is his full scouting report:
Name: Leonard Miller
Height/Weight: 6’10/213
Wingspan/ standing reach: 7’2/ 8’10 ½
Hand size: 10 ½
Position: Forward
Pre-Draft team: G League Ignite
Tools: Size, athleticism, transition creation, defense
Pros:
- Great combination of athleticism & size
- Intelligent cutter and overall good off-ball mover
- Excellent in transition for himself and others; will adapt to NBA pace well quickly
- Good finisher at the rim; can finish through contact well
- Good defensive upside
- Outstanding frame with big hands and long arms
Cons:
- Needs to continue developing jump shot; mechanics and results are far from ready
- Must get better as a right-handed creator and finisher
- Doesn’t have the same explosiveness in the halfcourt as a ball-handler as he does in transition
- Needs to keep adding strength
- Simple handle; ball handling needs to become more advanced
- Had a negative assist:turnover ratio
Swing Skills:
- Jump shooting
Summary:
The raw combination of size (6’10/6’11), athleticism, and growing ball-skills with defensive capabilities make Leonard Miller one of the highest upside plays outside of the consensus top 10.
Defensively, Miller should be able to guard multiple positions, and could be a candidate to defend 1-5 as he adds strength and fills his frame out.
Leonard Miller, being so young with great size, athleticism, and growing ball-skills with a high defensive upside, makes him one of the strongest candidates to be the steal of the draft. The difference maker for Miller will be how he develops his jump shot, as the form still needs work. As he develops confidence and strong shooting ability, his chance to become a star becomes more realistic.
Offensively, Miller is best as a downhill player, doing his most damage in quick transition offense. He finishes well through contact, and both above and below the rim against and past defenders. Miller has a few driving moves he uses to navigate around defenses, and as the game slows down and as his handle develops, his finishing ability should only get better against NBA competition.
The big concern for Miller is in his shooting. While he shot 79.7% from the free throw line this year in the G League, he still has strides to make as a shooter with awkward form and inconsistent jump shooting percentages. Whichever team drafts Miller will drastically determine how his shooting develops. If Miller can end up with a team that has historically developed shooters, he could be one of the biggest steals of the draft.
The combination of age, defense, size, rising playmaking ability, and potential shooting upside make Miller one of the top upside plays away from the consensus lottery in the 2023 NBA Draft. Look for Miller to rise as draft night approaches.
Similar to: Josh Smith, Corey Brewer, Scottie Barnes
Projected draft range: 14-25
Expected role: two-way jumbo wing with versatility.
Unplayable if: Jump shot never comes along, and he doesn’t learn how to better use his size on mismatches.
Exceeds expectations if: Jump shooting develops and his raw tools turn into useful, strategic abilities that can become a walking mismatch on both ends.
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