Leonard Miller

[FNG]

I was looking at the roster and salaries for the upcoming season, and it dawned on me that Miller replaces Nate Knights role, doesn't he? I am assuming Naz is either re-signed, or replaced. I also assume the Wolves will leave one roster spot open. It seems to be Nate will be the odd man out. June 29th is the date Nate's contract becomes partially guaranteed, although it's only 380K. But my money is on Nate being waived sometime between now and June 29th.

That's one way of looking at it, Tim, and it may turn out that way. But while I'm not a big Nate Knight guy, he's a big body who also seems to be quite popular with his teammates...kind of the team "court jester". And his $2 million salary is likely $10 million less than what Naz will command. I see Muller as replacing Naz's salary as the kind of cheap player we need on the roster to have a chance of staying under the 2024-5 apron while still keeping the band together.

[Monster]

I watched this game of the Ingnite vs the Memphis hustle who have former 1st round picks Williams Laravia and also UFA Lofton jr.

Scoot Henderson showed some good stuff. What probably impressed
Me most was he made some really nice defensive plays. I don’t know what his percentages are on jumpers inside the arc but he looked good on them in this game.

Miller in this game was just ok imo even though he had a nice stat like. He does move very well for a guy his size and at times it looks like he just Hoovers up balls. At times though he looked clumsy and the scouting reports about some poor close outs could have come from this game. They had him spacing out at the corners at times but he looked plenty comfortable as the guy at the top handling the ball screening etc. he also loved to rim run in transition and a number of times was wide open but nobody got him the ball. One time he was running the floor and scoot threaded a pass that looked like it was pretty low and Miller scooped it up and finished. Ultimately Miller simply didn’t stand out in this game. I’m gonna need to watch another one to get a sense of what he is about.

https://youtu.be/K3dTHCcpaHk

[Lipoli390]

I watched this game of the Ingnite vs the Memphis hustle who have former 1st round picks Williams Laravia and also UFA Lofton jr.

Scoot Henderson showed some good stuff. What probably impressed
Me most was he made some really nice defensive plays. I don’t know what his percentages are on jumpers inside the arc but he looked good on them in this game.

Miller in this game was just ok imo even though he had a nice stat like. He does move very well for a guy his size and at times it looks like he just Hoovers up balls. At times though he looked clumsy and the scouting reports about some poor close outs could have come from this game. They had him spacing out at the corners at times but he looked plenty comfortable as the guy at the top handling the ball screening etc. he also loved to rim run in transition and a number of times was wide open but nobody got him the ball. One time he was running the floor and scoot threaded a pass that looked like it was pretty low and Miller scooped it up and finished. Ultimately Miller simply didn’t stand out in this game. I’m gonna need to watch another one to get a sense of what he is about.

https://youtu.be/K3dTHCcpaHk

Thanks for posting this one for your comments. I’m going to watch it later today. I’ve been watching a lot of various Miller videos and I’ve seen all the things you observed in this Memphis game. I know what you mean with your use of the term clumsy, but I’d use the word awkward instead only because, as you noted, Miller has terrific hands. In the videos I’ve seen, he made a number of really tough catches. He also has great body control. His awkwardness is in his footwork. Right now, I think he’d get called for a lot of travels and offensive fouls. His decision-making also has a long way to go as he often gets himself into touHH situations, hesitates and then puts up a terrible shot, gets stripped or throws it away. There’s lots of video confirmed the scouting reports about getting lost on defense and being late on closeouts.

The poor decision-making and lack of defensive awareness are things he can fix and I’m confident those things will get fixed in time because by accounts Miller is very smart and coachable. I worry a bit about the footwork. That’s one of those more basic skills that he might be lacking because of his late start playing basketball. On the other hand, I’m impressed by his ball-handling ability given his late start. His biggest negative is clearly his perimeter shooting. His form changes shot to shot and mostly he shoots from his chest. So even though he hit 32% of his threes last season, his shot needs a major overhaul.

There’s a lot in MIller to like, but he’s definitely a project. He can be a good rebounder at the NBA level right now, but he’d otherwise be a major liability on both ends at this point in his development. In contrast, I’d feel comfortable putting Minott on the floor for the Wolves in certain situations right now. He seems to have better instincts, which isn’t surprising given that he’s been playing basketball since he was a small child. I think MInott can be a good defender right now at the NBA level without being a liability on the offensive end. Miller isn’t there yet in my opinion. But I think both have equally impressive upsides and both need more development. .

[Monster]

I watched this game of the Ingnite vs the Memphis hustle who have former 1st round picks Williams Laravia and also UFA Lofton jr.

Scoot Henderson showed some good stuff. What probably impressed
Me most was he made some really nice defensive plays. I don’t know what his percentages are on jumpers inside the arc but he looked good on them in this game.

Miller in this game was just ok imo even though he had a nice stat like. He does move very well for a guy his size and at times it looks like he just Hoovers up balls. At times though he looked clumsy and the scouting reports about some poor close outs could have come from this game. They had him spacing out at the corners at times but he looked plenty comfortable as the guy at the top handling the ball screening etc. he also loved to rim run in transition and a number of times was wide open but nobody got him the ball. One time he was running the floor and scoot threaded a pass that looked like it was pretty low and Miller scooped it up and finished. Ultimately Miller simply didn’t stand out in this game. I’m gonna need to watch another one to get a sense of what he is about.

https://youtu.be/K3dTHCcpaHk

Thanks for posting this one for your comments. I’m going to watch it later today. I’ve been watching a lot of various Miller videos and I’ve seen all the things you observed in this Memphis game. I know what you mean with your use of the term clumsy, but I’d use the word awkward instead only because, as you noted, Miller has terrific hands. In the videos I’ve seen, he made a number of really tough catches. He also has great body control. His awkwardness is in his footwork. Right now, I think he’d get called for a lot of travels and offensive fouls. His decision-making also has a long way to go as he often gets himself into touHH situations, hesitates and then puts up a terrible shot, gets stripped or throws it away. There’s lots of video confirmed the scouting reports about getting lost on defense and being late on closeouts.

The poor decision-making and lack of defensive awareness are things he can fix and I’m confident those things will get fixed in time because by accounts Miller is very smart and coachable. I worry a bit about the footwork. That’s one of those more basic skills that he might be lacking because of his late start playing basketball. On the other hand, I’m impressed by his ball-handling ability given his late start. His biggest negative is clearly his perimeter shooting. His form changes shot to shot and mostly he shoots from his chest. So even though he hit 32% of his threes last season, his shot needs a major overhaul.

There’s a lot in MIller to like, but he’s definitely a project. He can be a good rebounder at the NBA level right now, but he’d otherwise be a major liability on both ends at this point in his development. In contrast, I’d feel comfortable putting Minott on the floor for the Wolves in certain situations right now. He seems to have better instincts, which isn’t surprising given that he’s been playing basketball since he was a small child. I think MInott can be a good defender right now at the NBA level without being a liability on the offensive end. Miller isn’t there yet in my opinion. But I think both have equally impressive upsides and both need more development. .

It will be interesting to see Miller and Minott in Summer league. Minott seems like a guy that’s a guy that is more of a someone that just goes out and balls out so that helps him look interesting in limited minutes. I’m still not sure about Miller I need to watch more of him.

[Lipoli390]

I’ve been watching a bunch of video of Miller and Minott today along with watching multiple interviews of Miller. A couple thoughts.

First, Miller is really an impressive person. I strongly suggest you guys watch some of his interviews. You’ll see that he’s a 19-year old going on 29 from a maturity standpoint. You’ll also see a guy who’s very smart and self-aware. Unlike KAT, there’s nothing awkward or inauthentic about him. Watching him in an interview, you can’t help but come away convinced that this guy clearly has what it takes between the ears to be really good and possibly great.

Second, amongst all the video footage of Miller, I suggest you watch highlights form two games. One was the Ignite game against the Capitones and the other is the Ignite game against the Kings. He scored 26 against the Capitones and 25 against the Kings, but it’s not his point totals that make these games stand out in evaluating Miller. He had other games with 20+ points and even better rebounding. What stands out against the Capitones is that Miller was Ignite’s go-to scorer down the stretch in a comeback win. He hit a layup that tied the game at 105 and later, with 1:24 left on the clock, he hit the go-ahead three pointer from the top of the arc. What stands out in the Kings game was the fact that he started out the game as the team’s PG. Check out the highlights from those two games.

[Monster]

I watched this game against the Skyforce

https://youtu.be/_qnrF4wfwvE

It was interesting to watch Jovic in this game. He did some nice things but I’m not sure he was better than Miller. They have different strengths and Jovic looked good but it will be interesting to see how I feel about Jovic after I watch a G-league game of Wendell Moore

Bouyea for the Skyforce had a nice game. Nice sized combo guard looked pretty athletic.

Mulder was the star of the game but he did have some heat check shots.

A guy that the Spurs took after Miller, Sidy Cissoko has stoood out as I have watched these G League unite games. Lip I’m curious if you noticed him too. Has a nice shot looks like he has an NBA body already looks like he could play SF and maybe some small ball PF. He plays well can do a bit of everything and has some nice athleticism. Looks like a nice pick for the Spurs in the 40’s.

Miller looked much more intriguing in this game. He showed off his ability to guard all over the floor and guys that looked like they should be quicker. He closed out way better and a few times closed out on Jovic and I think one of his blocks was on a Jovic 3. With Scoot out he brought the ball up more and initiated the offense or pushed the ball. He made a few nice passes a couple that to post players that should make many Timberwolves PGs of the years ashamed at how bad they are at that skill. He hit a corner 3 and it made me wonder what his percentages were for that range. He also hit both of his FTs and the shot looked good from what I could tell. He had some nice contests at the rim which you would assume since he had 4 blocks. There was a play early I the game where after 2 yikes getting hacked ina couple possessions he pretty much lost it and was obviously pissed. Coach Jason Hart ram on the court and got T-d up to save Miller from getting one. Miller did end up calming down and was fine the rest of the game. Meanwhile later in the game he was contesting a throw in out of bounds and he kicked the ball when it was passed in and it went off of a fan. He went over to them and said something to them which seemed nice. I will say that there was a couple bunnies he missed again in this game. Idk if that’s a problem or maybe a product of still growing into his body or what. It’s something to watch but yeah.

I like how Lip has said Miller is sort of a combo something between Vanderbilt and Naz. I think all of those guys are more smith than wildly explosive. That’s not a bad thing. Meanwhile I think Minott has some more pop to him. I’d say he is sort in between Vanderbilt and McDaniels but I think I would compare the big aspect of him more like a Brandon Clark. Clark just has a bit more pop than Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt could guard a wing all game and it wouldn’t be weird. I don’t think Clark could do that. I’m not sure Minott can guard SFs full time or not.

Anywho it’s fun to see Miller play and also see some other guys out there. Orlando Robinson had a nice game.

[Lipoli390]

I watched this game against the Skyforce

https://youtu.be/_qnrF4wfwvE

It was interesting to watch Jovic in this game. He did some nice things but I’m not sure he was better than Miller. They have different strengths and Jovic looked good but it will be interesting to see how I feel about Jovic after I watch a G-league game of Wendell Moore

Bouyea for the Skyforce had a nice game. Nice sized combo guard looked pretty athletic.

Mulder was the star of the game but he did have some heat check shots.

A guy that the Spurs took after Miller, Sidy Cissoko has stoood out as I have watched these G League unite games. Lip I’m curious if you noticed him too. Has a nice shot looks like he has an NBA body already looks like he could play SF and maybe some small ball PF. He plays well can do a bit of everything and has some nice athleticism. Looks like a nice pick for the Spurs in the 40’s.

Miller looked much more intriguing in this game. He showed off his ability to guard all over the floor and guys that looked like they should be quicker. He closed out way better and a few times closed out on Jovic and I think one of his blocks was on a Jovic 3. With Scoot out he brought the ball up more and initiated the offense or pushed the ball. He made a few nice passes a couple that to post players that should make many Timberwolves PGs of the years ashamed at how bad they are at that skill. He hit a corner 3 and it made me wonder what his percentages were for that range. He also hit both of his FTs and the shot looked good from what I could tell. He had some nice contests at the rim which you would assume since he had 4 blocks. There was a play early I the game where after 2 yikes getting hacked ina couple possessions he pretty much lost it and was obviously pissed. Coach Jason Hart ram on the court and got T-d up to save Miller from getting one. Miller did end up calming down and was fine the rest of the game. Meanwhile later in the game he was contesting a throw in out of bounds and he kicked the ball when it was passed in and it went off of a fan. He went over to them and said something to them which seemed nice. I will say that there was a couple bunnies he missed again in this game. Idk if that’s a problem or maybe a product of still growing into his body or what. It’s something to watch but yeah.

I like how Lip has said Miller is sort of a combo something between Vanderbilt and Naz. I think all of those guys are more smith than wildly explosive. That’s not a bad thing. Meanwhile I think Minott has some more pop to him. I’d say he is sort in between Vanderbilt and McDaniels but I think I would compare the big aspect of him more like a Brandon Clark. Clark just has a bit more pop than Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt could guard a wing all game and it wouldn’t be weird. I don’t think Clark could do that. I’m not sure Minott can guard SFs full time or not.

Anywho it’s fun to see Miller play and also see some other guys out there. Orlando Robinson had a nice game.

Nice write-up, Monster. Yes, I noticed Cissoko and loved what I saw. I thought we might take him when we might take him at 33.

I think Brandon Clarke is a good comparison for Minott, but I’d say Minott is significantly quicker. I have no doubt Minott can guard SFs. He’s really quick and agile in addition to being bouncy. So I’d say he’s a quicker/faster version of Clarke.

[Monster]

Lip you said you were watching video of Moore in the G-league. Were you watching games or highlights? I’ve been struggling to find full length Wolves games with Moore playing.

[Lipoli390]

Lip you said you were watching video of Moore in the G-league. Were you watching games or highlights? I’ve been struggling to find full length Wolves games with Moore playing.

I watched highlights. That’s all I could find. It’s worth watching his highlights because you see his skill set. He’s really solid and defends will. Watching his highlights reminded me he has a 7’0 wingspan, which is extraordinarily for a SG.

[60WinTim]

So, here is a tidbit about what we might expect for Leo's contract. The new CBA has created a 2nd rounder exception that if used, a team can sign a 2nd round pick to a 3 year contract starting at the minimum salary for a 1st year player, or a 4 year contract starting at the minimum salary of a 2nd year player, which is 1,927,896. I am sure Leo's camp will be pushing for a contract starting at this value.

The Wolves have their BAE, along with some left over MLE as well. The minimum salary for a player with 0 years experience is 1,017,781. It would be beneficial to the team to sign Leo for the smaller amount. And so the negotiations begin!

I see the #34 pick, Colby Jones, just signed with Sacramento for four years at 8.76 mil. I am sure Leo's camp, as the #33 pick, will be using that number as a baseline.